Firefighters recall chaos, heroism in deadly Fall River assisted living fire

FALL RIVER, Mass. —

Firefighters who responded to the deadliest Massachusetts blaze in decades faced chaotic and harrowing challenges as they rushed to rescue dozens of residents from an assisted living facility in Fall River.

The fire at the Gabriel House began on the evening of July 13. Firefighters who arrived were met with residents screaming for help through the windows of the building.

"There’s people screaming, and that’s when you look up and saw all the people in the windows,” said Lt. Paul Machado. Capt.

"We literally see about four heads hanging out the window," added Capt. Ed Correia of arriving on scene. "I was generally terrified about what my split decision next was going to mean. If I save this person, is this person going to die? Who do I save? Who do I help?"

While 58