July 22, 2025:
FALL RIVER, Mass. (AP) — A fire that killed 10 people at a Massachusetts assisted-living facility was unintentionally caused by someone smoking or an electrical issue with an oxygen machine, investigators said Tuesday (July 22, 2025).
The state’s deadliest blaze in more than four decades has highlighted the lack of regulations governing assisted-living facilities that often care for low-income or disabled residents.
The state fire marshal, Jon Davine, said the presence of medical oxygen contributed to the spread of the July 13 fire at Gabriel House in Fall River. The blaze left some residents of hanging out windows of the three-story building screaming for help.
“Please, there’s truly no safe way to smoke. But smoking is especially dangerous when home oxygen is in use,” Davine said at a news conference Tuesday.
Investigators found no signs that electrical outlets, lights, heaters or cooking appliances sparked the fire, said Thomas Quinn, the district attorney for Bristol County.
Earlier Tuesday, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said the state was releasing $1.2 million to hire more emergency response personnel for blue-collar city about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Boston. She said additional funds will be expedited for the state’s municipal public safety staffing program.
Members of the local firefighter’s union have said a lack of emergency personnel staffing made responding to the blaze more difficult, and made the fire itself deadlier.
“We are here today to listen,” Healey said, “to make sure that we understand what this community needs now and moving forward in the wake of this tragedy.”
The district attorney’s office identified the 10th victim as Halina Lawler, 70, on Monday. The victims of the fire ranged in age from 61 to 86.
The governor said last week that a state agency that ensures assisted-living residences comply with regulations will investigate all 273 such facilities in Massachusetts to make sure they are prepared to protect residents during emergencies. She said Tuesday that work has begun.
A resident of Gabriel House filed a lawsuit Monday alleging the facility was not properly managed, staffed or maintained, that residency rules were not enforced, and that “emergency response procedures were not put in place.”
Trapped in his room during the fire, Steven Oldrid was in an “already compromised physical condition” when he suffered smoke inhalation and lost consciousness, according to the complaint filed in Bristol County Superior Court. As a result, Oldrid says he has increased mobility restrictions and has racked up medical bills for treatment.
George K. Regan Jr., a spokesperson for the facility owned by Dennis Etzkorn, did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment on the lawsuit. A phone message was also left with Oldrid’s attorney.
Public injury law firm Morgan & Morgan also said last week it was hired to investigate the fire by the family of one of the residents killed at Gabriel House.
Morgan & Morgan Communications Manager Emily Walsh said the law firm had already begun looking into whether the facility was adequately staffed and provided proper training to staff, as well as any potential code violations and possible failures of fire safety equipment.
Etzkorn has said he is cooperating with investigations into the fire. Gabriel House issued a statement Monday emphasizing the importance of finding out “exactly what caused this catastrophe, and if there were factors that made it worse.” The statement said the facility placed a premium on residents’ safety.
“Maintaining compliance with all safety and building codes has always been our priority, and there were quarterly inspections of the fire suppression system – the latest as recently as five days prior to the fire,” said the facility’s spokesperson.
July 14, 2025:
FALL RIVER, Mass. (AP) — Nine people have died in a fire at an assisted living facility in Massachusetts, where people were hanging out of windows screaming for help, authorities said Monday.
Firefighters responded to the Gabriel House assisted living facility in Fall River at about 9:50 p.m. Sunday and were met with heavy smoke and flames at the front of the building, with occupants trapped inside, the state Department of Fire Services said in a news release. About 70 people live in the house.
The fire was out by Monday morning and firefighters were able to get inside and rescue numerous occupants. About 50 firefighters responded, including 30 who were off-duty.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.
FALL RIVER, Mass. (AP) — Multiple people have died in a fire at an assisted living facility in Massachusetts, where people were hanging out of windows screaming for help, authorities said Monday.
Firefighters responded to the Gabriel House assisted living facility in Fall River at about 9:50 p.m. Sunday and were met with heavy smoke and flames at the front of the building, with occupants trapped inside, the state Department of Fire Services said in a news release. About 70 people live in the house.
The fire was out by Monday morning and firefighters were able to get inside and rescue numerous occupants, but several were declared dead at the scene, the news release said. About 50 firefighters responded, including 30 who were off-duty.
Many of those rescued were taken to local and regional hospitals in varying conditions. Five firefighters suffered injuries that were not life-threatening, the statement said.
“This is an unfathomable tragedy for the families involved and the Fall River community,” said Chief Jeffrey Bacon.
He told reporters “multiple people were hanging out the windows looking to be rescued.” Family members who showed up said police were trying to break windows.
Leo Johnson, 45, of Fall River, told The Boston Globe he rushed over to find his 68-year-old mother, who lives on the top floor of Gabriel House.
“I was kinda freaking out because she wasn’t one of the ones outside,” he said. He eventually found her, saying she was outside soaking wet because the sprinklers were going off.
The Fall River Police Department in a statement said that “without hesitation, officers entered the smoke-filled facility, 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 origin and cause of the fire are under investigation, state and local authorities said.
Fall River, which has about 94,000 people, is about 20 miles (32 kilometers) southeast of Providence, Rhode Island.
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