Fire at Massachusetts Assisted-Living Facility Claims Nine Lives

A deadly fire at an assisted-living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts, has resulted in the tragic deaths of nine residents. Emergency calls about the fire at Gabriel House began shortly after 21:30 on Sunday night, prompting a significant response from first responders to rescue approximately 70 individuals, many of whom required mobility assistance or relied on oxygen tanks.

Despite the determined efforts of nearly 65 firefighters, including many who were off duty, and “every police officer in the city,” nine residents perished in the blaze. The deceased ranged in age from 61 to 86 years old, with the youngest identified being a 61-year-old woman and the oldest, 86-year-old Richard Rochon, a Vietnam veteran. Dozens of others sustained injuries, with one person in critical condition.

Survivors recounted their harrowing experiences as they attempted to escape the smoke-filled building. Loraine Ferrara described being rescued through her bathroom window, stating, “I thought I was dead… I couldn’t breathe. I thought I was going to meet my maker.” Another resident, Al Manza, recalled the suffocating smoke when he opened his door, saying, “All that I could do was just stand there and choke.”

Investigation Underway into Fire’s Cause

Authorities, including the Massachusetts State Police, are currently investigating the cause of the fire. The district attorney indicated that the cause “does not appear to be suspicious at this time.” Gabriel House owner, Dennis Etzkorn, expressed his devastation over the incident and committed to cooperating fully with investigators. “It’s a tragedy, no matter how it happened or what started it,” Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan stated.

The response to the fire was complicated by the unique needs of the residents. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, who visited the scene, acknowledged the challenges faced by first responders, emphasizing that many residents were “in wheelchairs,” “immobile,” or “had oxygen tanks.”

Challenges Faced by First Responders

The scale of the rescue effort overwhelmed first responders. Firefighters and police arrived after the facility’s automatic alarm system triggered an emergency call. As the situation escalated, first responders called for additional help due to the number of residents needing assistance.

Michael O’Regan, a firefighter who responded off duty, remarked that upon arrival, he found everyone “overwhelmed.” Many responders were forced to enter the building without adequate breathing equipment, prioritizing immediate rescues over personal safety. Frank O’Regan, also a firefighter, expressed horror at discovering residents still trapped in the building, calling it one of the worst loss-of-life incidents he had witnessed in his career.

The inadequate staffing of the Fall River Fire Department also raised concerns about the response capabilities. According to Edward Kelly, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, only two of Fall River’s ten companies meet the national standard of four firefighters per unit. This shortfall, acknowledged by Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon, has persisted since the 1980s or 1990s.

Gabriel House, established in 1999, housed around 70 residents at the time of the fire. The facility had two staff members on duty overnight. It was scheduled for a compliance review in November 2023, following a previous recertification in December 2022 after addressing noncompliance issues identified during an inspection.

Etzkorn, while facing past legal challenges, stated that he and his family are “devastated by the tragedy” and expressed his commitment to cooperating with authorities. His previous legal troubles included accusations of running a scheme to illegally pay kickbacks for Medicare patients, which were ultimately dropped, and multiple federal lawsuits related to harassment claims that were settled out of court.

The community continues to grapple with the aftermath of this tragedy. Around 30 residents were hospitalized due to the fire, with some receiving temporary housing assistance. Survivors and families of the victims are calling for improved safety standards and better care for vulnerable populations in assisted living facilities.

In the words of the family of Richard Rochon, “We as a country should take care of veterans better.” As the investigation moves forward, the focus remains on ensuring that such tragedies do not occur again.