Inferno at U.S. Elderly Home: Residents Trapped, Lives Lost

A devastating fire tore through an assisted living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts late Sunday night, claiming the lives of nine residents and injuring at least 30 others.

The fire broke out at the Gabriel House, an assisted living complex home to approximately 70 individuals, many of whom are elderly or have physical disabilities.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, emergency crews were called to the scene at around 9:50 p.m. Sunday.

Firefighters arrived to find thick smoke and intense flames pouring from the front of the building.

The fire quickly escalated into a life-threatening situation, trapping several residents inside.

Some were seen hanging out of windows, screaming for help as firefighters rushed to save them.

In total, around 50 firefighters responded to the emergency, including 30 off-duty personnel who joined the effort.

By early Monday morning, the blaze was extinguished, and crews were able to access the interior of the building to conduct rescues.

The injured were transported to various local and regional hospitals, with conditions ranging from minor to critical.

Among those impacted was 67-year-old Steven Oldrid, who was recovering in a hospital from smoke inhalation.

His son, Jarren Oldrid, described the experience as chaotic and terrifying.

“It’s kind of just a whirlwind of trying to figure out what’s happening, how this could happen in such a major way,” he told reporters.

In addition to residents, five firefighters sustained non-life-threatening injuries while battling the blaze.

“This is an unfathomable tragedy for the families involved and for the Fall River community,” Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon said during a press briefing.

He noted that firefighters encountered multiple individuals attempting to escape through windows as the fire spread rapidly through the building.

Nearby residents also witnessed the horror unfold. Joe Alves, who lives just a few houses away from Gabriel House, recalled seeing emergency responders frantically pulling both bodies and injured pets from the burning structure.

“There were people in wheelchairs, a lot of people missing limbs, it was terrible,” he said, visibly emotional.

Some responders were seen pouring water bottles over burns in an effort to provide immediate relief.

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey expressed her condolences in a statement released Monday morning.

“The fire at Gabriel House in Fall River is a tragedy.

“My heart goes out to those waking up to the most horrific news imaginable about their loved ones this morning,” she said.

Healey also commended the heroic efforts of the firefighters and first responders whose quick actions saved lives.

Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan addressed the situation at a morning news conference, stating that the owner of the facility is fully cooperating with investigators.

He confirmed that the building would soon be boarded up and pledged support to displaced residents.

“We’ll do whatever we have to do to help these people,” he said.

The Fall River Police Department also praised the heroism of their officers.

In a statement, they described how officers entered the smoke-filled building without hesitation, breaking down doors and escorting residents to safety.

“Approximately a dozen non-ambulatory residents were physically carried out by our officers.

Their bravery and quick action undoubtedly saved many lives,” the department stated.

Authorities are now working to determine the cause of the fire. Investigators from both state and local agencies are conducting a thorough review of the scene.

Gabriel House, which opened in 1999, contains 100 residential units.

As of Monday, inquiries had been sent to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Aging & Independence regarding the facility’s inspection and safety records.

Attempts to contact Gabriel House directly were unsuccessful, and a staff member at the site declined to comment when approached by the Associated Press.

Fall River, a city with a population of roughly 94,000, is located about 20 miles southeast of Providence, Rhode Island.

The tragedy has left the community reeling as it comes to terms with the loss and begins the process of recovery and accountability.