FALL RIVER, Massachusetts — In what is being described as one of the deadliest incidents in recent memory, nine people have lost their lives and over 30 others were injured in a catastrophic fire that tore through the Gabriel House assisted living center on Sunday night.
The scale of the tragedy left first responders shaken.
“In all my years of being a Fire Chaplain, tonight was the worst night of experiencing such loss of life — multiple fatalities in Fall River,” said Rev. Michael Racine, Fall River Fire Department Chaplain, visibly emotional in the aftermath.
The fire erupted at the Gabriel House, a non-profit facility opened in 1999, which housed approximately 70 residents in 100 single-bed units. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by state and local authorities, including the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Emergency crews were met with harrowing challenges, including numerous window air conditioning units, which hampered rescue efforts and made access to trapped residents difficult. The building’s aging infrastructure and the limited mobility of many residents only compounded the tragic toll.
The victims range in age from 61 to 86. Authorities have released the names of seven of the nine deceased:
- Eleanor Willet, 86
- Rui Albernaz, 64
- Ronald Codega, 61
- Margaret Duddy, 69
- Robert King, 78
- Kim Mackin, 71
- Richard Rochon, 78
Two additional victims — a 70-year-old woman and a 77-year-old man — have not yet been publicly identified as authorities work to notify next of kin.
In the aftermath of the fire, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey visited with survivors, listening to their harrowing accounts and praising the courage of emergency responders.
“They were in their bed or had just had their medication and were about to go to sleep,” Healey said. “They hear some noise and lights and shouting. A lot of them are immobile… they can’t easily move and they were disoriented.”
“Were it not for the heroic, brave work of these men and women — particularly our fire, police, and EMS — we would have seen much greater loss of life.”
The last official state inspection of Gabriel House was conducted on October 15, 2024, with the facility’s certification set to expire this October. Investigators are now scrutinizing building safety protocols and emergency preparedness in addition to determining the fire’s origin.
As families and community members grapple with this unspeakable tragedy, plans are underway for memorials and support for survivors. Grief counselors and emergency resources have been made available to both staff and residents’ families.
The Gabriel House fire marks a somber chapter in Fall River’s history — a heartbreaking reminder of the vulnerability of our elderly and the bravery of those who risk their lives to protect them.
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