A terrible fire at an assisted living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts, has killed at least nine people and hurt more than thirty others. Around 9:50 PM local time on Sunday, a fire broke out at Gabriel House, a place for elderly and vulnerable people to live. Local officials and rescue workers hurried to the scene, where they found people trapped inside the building that was on fire.
This terrible occurrence has shocked the area and made people wonder about the fire safety precautions in care homes throughout the country. The event took place at Fall River, which is about 50 miles south of Boston and 20 miles from Providence, Rhode Island.
What Happened at Gabriel House was So Bad?
When firefighters got there, the building was full of smoke, and the people inside were begging for rescue. Jeffrey Bacon, the fire chief of Fall River, called the fire an “unfathomable tragedy” and said it spread very quickly with thick smoke. The fire was only in one wing of the three-storey structure, but the thick smoke spread throughout, making it difficult to get people out.
Reports say that some of the victims died at the scene, while others died later at hospitals nearby. The police are still looking into what started the fire.
How did emergency responders save the people who lived there?
About 70 people were living in the building when the fire broke out. Firefighters, police, and medical staff hurried to get people out of the building in an emergency. They saved dozens of people, many of whom couldn’t get out on their own. Emergency responders worked hard to carry some residents, especially those in wheelchairs, to safety.
Chief Bacon recounted tales of terror and hopelessness, stating that individuals were “hanging out of windows seeking rescue”. Firefighters used ladders to get to those on higher levels, and police and EMS crews worked around the clock to smash down doors and windows to get people out.
Despite the swift response, one victim remains in critical condition, while five firefighters suffered minor injuries. The hospital has now released them.
What can we learn from this terrible event?
Paul Coogan, the mayor of Fall River, said that the structure had sprinklers, which helped keep the fire in one place. The smoke, on the other hand, spread throughout the building, which caused many deaths. Coogan stressed that smoke is often more dangerous than the fire itself. He added, “Every day in America, smoke kills more people than fire does.”
The incident shows how important fire safety systems are, especially for people who are more likely to be hurt. Mayor Coogan’s message underlined how important it is to listen to smoke detectors and leave the building right away if there is a fire.
Final Thoughts: What can assisted living facilities do to make things safer?
The incident at Gabriel House shows how important it is for care institutions to have strong safety procedures and a quick emergency response. At least nine individuals lost their lives, highlighting the need for further action to prevent such disasters. Authorities are still investigating the incident, it is important for other locations similar to this one to review their fire safety procedures.
Governor Maura Healey of Massachusetts said that the brave work of emergency responders saved more lives. The quick response was laudable, but this tragedy should serve as a strong reminder that fire safety rules need to be stricter and that those living in assisted living homes need to be better protected.
