A devastating fire erupted late Sunday night at the Gabriel House assisted living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts, claiming the lives of nine residents and leaving dozens more injured. Witnesses described a harrowing scene as residents screamed for help, some hanging from windows while thick smoke and flames consumed the front of the building.
Emergency crews were dispatched to the facility at approximately 9:50 p.m., according to a statement from the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services (DFS) provided to Fox News Digital. When firefighters arrived, they encountered a rapidly spreading blaze that had already overtaken the building’s entrance and was producing heavy smoke throughout the structure. Rescue efforts began immediately, as crews entered the building to extract residents while simultaneously attempting to contain the fire.
Roughly 50 firefighters responded to the emergency, battling a five-alarm blaze throughout the night. By Monday morning, the fire had been extinguished, but the damage had already proven catastrophic. Several residents were pronounced dead at the scene. Over 30 others were rushed to nearby hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to severe. One person remains in critical condition, and five firefighters were also injured, though their injuries were not considered life-threatening.
Gabriel House is home to approximately 70 residents. The fire has left a significant portion of the population displaced and traumatized. Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the fire, and an investigation is currently underway to uncover how the deadly inferno began and spread so rapidly.
Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon called the incident “an unfathomable tragedy” and offered condolences on behalf of the department. “This is an unfathomable tragedy for the families involved and the Fall River community,” Bacon stated. “On behalf of the Fall River Fire Department, I want to express our heartfelt condolences to the loved ones who are grieving this morning.”
After a Night of Horror
The deadly fire at Gabriel House has left a community in mourning and raised serious concerns about fire safety in assisted living facilities. With nine lives lost, dozens injured, and families left devastated, the investigation into the cause of this tragic event is likely to be closely watched. Authorities and residents alike are seeking answers—and healing—in the wake of a night that shook Fall River to its core.
