A devastating fire at an assisted living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts, has resulted in the deaths of nine individuals and left at least 30 others injured. The incident occurred at the Gabriel House on Sunday night, with firefighters responding to the scene around 9:50 p.m. local time. Upon arrival, they encountered heavy smoke and flames engulfing the front of the building, trapping many residents inside.

The fire was extinguished by Monday morning, allowing firefighters to enter the facility and rescue numerous occupants. Approximately 50 firefighters, including 30 who were off-duty, participated in the response. Many of those rescued were transported to local and regional hospitals, with varying degrees of injuries. Five firefighters sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the operation.

Chief Jeffrey Bacon described the scene as “an unfathomable tragedy for the families involved and the Fall River community.” He noted that “multiple people were hanging out the windows looking to be rescued.” Eyewitness accounts reveal the chaos that unfolded as family members rushed to the scene, desperate for information about their loved ones.

Leo Johnson, 45, expressed his panic as he searched for his 68-year-old mother, who lives on the top floor of Gabriel House. “I was kinda freaking out because she wasn't one of the ones outside,” he said. Fortunately, he found her outside, soaked from the sprinklers that had activated during the fire.

Joe Alves, a nearby resident, recounted the harrowing moments he witnessed. “There were people in wheelchairs, a lot of people missing limbs, it was terrible,” he said, visibly shaken. He described seeing officials pulling bodies and injured pets from the building, with some responders using water bottles to soothe burns.

The Fall River Police Department commended the bravery of their officers, stating that they entered the smoke-filled facility without hesitation. Officers broke down doors and escorted residents to safety, physically carrying approximately a dozen non-ambulatory residents out of the building. Their quick actions were credited with saving many lives.

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey expressed her condolences and offered state assistance to the city’s mayor. “The fire at Gabriel House in Fall River is a tragedy. My heart goes out to those who are waking up to the most horrific news imaginable about their loved ones this morning,” she said.

The cause and origin of the fire are currently under investigation by state and local authorities. Gabriel House, which opened in 1999, has 100 units and serves approximately 70 residents. An inquiry into the facility's inspection records is underway, with officials seeking to understand how such a catastrophic event could occur. Fall River, home to about 94,000 residents, is located approximately 20 miles southeast of Providence, Rhode Island.