A devastating fire tore through the Gabriel House assisted living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts, late Sunday night, claiming nine lives and injuring at least 30 others, officials confirmed on Monday, July 14, 2025. The tragedy has shaken the community, marking the deadliest fire in the state since 1984 and leaving survivors and families grappling with loss and uncertainty.
Firefighters responded to the blaze at approximately 9:30 p.m. at the 100-unit facility located on Oliver Street, about 50 miles south of Boston. Upon arrival, crews were met with heavy flames and smoke billowing from the building's front entrance, along with residents desperately hanging out of windows, screaming for help.
Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon described the scene as an "unfathomable tragedy" and praised the heroic efforts of firefighters, police, and emergency medical personnel. "Were it not for the brave work of these men and women, we would have seen a much greater loss of life," Bacon said during a news conference.
The fire escalated to a five-alarm response, drawing about 50 firefighters to the scene, including 30 who were off-duty. Police officers were among the first responders, breaking down doors and physically carrying about a dozen non-ambulatory residents to safety. Five firefighters sustained minor injuries and were treated and released by Monday evening.
Residents ranged in age from 61 to 86 years old. The Bristol County District Attorney's office released the names of seven victims: Rui Albernaz (64), Ronald Codega (61), Margaret Duddy (69), Robert King (78), Kim Mackin (71), Richard Rochon (78), and Eleanor Willett (86). Two others—a 70-year-old woman and a 77-year-old man—were pending family notification.
One resident, Lorraine Ferrara, recounted her harrowing escape. Awakened by a neighbor pounding on her door, she tried to navigate the smoke-filled hallway but retreated to her room as the sprinkler system doused her. As smoke filled her space, she opened a window and called for help. A firefighter broke the window and carried her down a ladder. "I really thought I was going to die," Ferrara said. "I thought there was no way out." She also expressed anger as she saw two staff members flee the building without attempting to assist residents. "They left us alone and ran out into the parking lot," she said. "I was hanging out the window—‘Help! Help!’—and they just kept running." Another resident, Robert Cabral, echoed this sentiment, stating, "They didn’t knock on one door. They just ran."
Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan commended the response of emergency services, saying, "The police and fire did a spectacular job rescuing residents and working to keep the scene under control in the face of indescribable tragedy." However, he pushed back against criticism from the firefighters' union regarding staffing levels, noting that the department was staffed according to the fire chief's recommendations.
The firefighters' union, led by Edward Kelly, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, criticized the city for chronic understaffing. Kelly stated, "Had they been staffed properly up to national standards, there would have been eight more firefighters affecting rescues here last night. Lives would have been saved if the Fall River fire department were adequately staffed." Capt. Frank O’Regan, a union member, added, "If this was New Bedford, Boston, Worcester, there would have been 40 firefighters here initially—but there were only 32. Probably five more people could have lived." Michael O’Reagan, president of the Fall River firefighters union, lamented, "We did the best we could with what we had, and what we had was not enough." Mayor Coogan responded, "We staff the fire department at the number the chief asked for. I’m not the one who sets those numbers."
The presence of numerous window air conditioning units complicated rescue efforts, blocking larger windows and forcing firefighters to perform rescues through smaller bathroom windows. Chief Bacon noted, "It takes six or seven firefighters to get an average person out of a building safely," highlighting the physical and time-consuming nature of the operation. Approximately half of the residents required evacuation either through windows or hallways.
Gabriel House, a non-profit assisted living facility opened in 1999, housed about 70 residents at the time of the fire. Its website advertises affordable studio apartments for seniors who cannot afford high-end assisted living, located near shopping, restaurants, and churches. The facility had passed its last state safety inspection in October 2024, valid through October 2025. Some survivors reported that the building's elevator had been out of service for eight months but was recently repaired.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey visited the site on Monday, expressing condolences and gratitude to first responders. "It’s unbelievable that there wasn’t an even greater loss of life," Healey said. "I just think it speaks to the training and preparedness of the first responders." She pledged the state’s full assistance to Fall River in rehousing displaced residents and supporting the community through this tragedy.
Survivors were taken to the Timao Center, a local emergency shelter, where volunteers provided clothing, food, medical assistance, and emotional support. As of Monday afternoon, most residents had been transferred to nearby facilities, with city officials working to find permanent housing for the remaining evacuees.
The origin and cause of the fire remain under active investigation by multiple agencies, including the Fall River Fire Department, Fall River Police, Massachusetts State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Section, and the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office. The district attorney’s office stated that the fire’s cause "does not appear to be suspicious at this time." The building sustained fire damage confined to one wing, but smoke damage extended throughout the three-story structure.
Authorities have also set up a family notification center at the chapel of St. Anne’s Hospital, accessible via the hospital's Emergency Department or by phone at 508-674-5741, to assist families seeking information about loved ones.
Chief Bacon emphasized the importance of mental health support for first responders and families affected by the tragedy. "Everyone thinks firefighters are heroes and they're just designed to be able to deal with anything, but that's not the case," he said. Plans are underway to ensure that those involved receive the necessary care to process the traumatic event.
The fire has spotlighted long-standing concerns about staffing and safety in Fall River’s emergency services and elder care facilities. Advocacy groups, including Dignity Alliance co-founder Paul Lanzikos, expressed worries about reported deficiencies such as lack of fire drills, understaffing for a highly dependent population, and safety issues like broken elevators and air conditioners installed in windows.
Fall River, with a population of roughly 94,000, is one of Massachusetts’ poorest cities. Once a thriving textile manufacturing hub, it has faced economic challenges and population decline over recent decades. The community now mourns the loss of its vulnerable elders and rallies to support survivors and families.
As the investigation continues and the city works to heal, the Gabriel House fire serves as a somber reminder of the critical importance of preparedness, adequate staffing, and safety in facilities entrusted with the care of society’s most vulnerable.
