Fall River, Massachusetts – A devastating fire tore through the Gabriel House Assisted Living Center on the night of Sunday, July 13, 2025, claiming the lives of nine residents and injuring more than 30 others in one of the deadliest fires in recent Massachusetts history. The blaze has left the city of Fall River grappling with profound grief as families, first responders, and officials navigate the aftermath of this heart-wrenching tragedy that struck a facility dedicated to caring for some of the community’s most vulnerable residents.
“This is an unfathomable tragedy for the families involved and the Fall River community,” said Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon during a press conference on Monday morning. His words echoed the somber mood of a city reeling from the loss.
**A Night of Chaos and Heroism**
The fire broke out shortly after 9:30 p.m. at Gabriel House, a nonprofit assisted living facility located at 261 Oliver Street in Fall River’s South End. The three-story wood-frame building, home to approximately 70 residents in its 100 single-bed studio units, was engulfed in heavy smoke and flames when firefighters arrived. Many residents, elderly and with limited mobility, were trapped inside, some hanging out of windows and screaming for help.
The rescue operation was described as “tricky and chaotic” by Chief Bacon. Firefighters faced significant challenges, including window air conditioning units that blocked access to larger windows, forcing them to extract residents through smaller bathroom windows or navigate smoke-filled hallways. “It takes six or seven firefighters to get an average person out of a building safely,” Bacon explained, highlighting the physical and logistical demands of the rescue efforts.
Despite the heroic response from approximately 50 firefighters, including 30 off-duty personnel who were called to the scene, nine residents tragically lost their lives. Seven of the victims have been identified by the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office:
– Eleanor Willett, 86
– Rui Albernaz, 64
– Ronald Codega, 61
– Margaret Duddy, 69
– Robert King, 78
– Kim Mackin, 71
– Richard Rochon, 78
The identities of a 70-year-old woman and a 77-year-old man have not been released, pending notification of their families. More than 30 residents were transported to local and regional hospitals with injuries ranging from smoke inhalation to burns, with one person remaining in critical condition as of Monday, July 14. Five firefighters also sustained minor injuries but have since been released from the hospital.
**Voices from a Community in Mourning**
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey visited the scene on Monday morning, meeting with survivors and commending the first responders whose swift actions prevented an even greater loss of life. “All of these people needed assistance,” Healey said. “Many were in wheelchairs. Many were immobile. Many had oxygen tanks. They were severely compromised.” She described the disorientation and fear experienced by residents, many of whom were in bed or preparing for sleep when the fire alarms sounded.
Survivors shared harrowing accounts of their escape. Loraine Ferrara, a resident, recounted to CNN affiliate WCVB, “I thought I was dead. I thought I was going to meet my maker.” She was pulled to safety through her bathroom window after blinding smoke prevented her from reaching the exit. Another resident, who was not at the facility during the fire, expressed relief at her survival but grief for her neighbors, stating, “I was lucky. I decided to sleep at my granddaughter’s house.”
Rev. Michael Racine, Fire Chaplain for the Fall River Fire Department, described the night as “the worst night of experiencing such loss of life” in his years of service, reflecting the emotional toll on first responders. Chief Bacon emphasized the need for mental health support for firefighters, police, EMS, and families affected by the tragedy, noting, “Everyone thinks firefighters are heroes and designed to deal with anything, but that’s not the case.”
**A Community Rallies Amid Investigation**
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Fall River Fire Department, Fall River Police, State Police assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s Office, and the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, with assistance from code compliance officers from the Department of Fire Services. Authorities have stated that the fire does not appear suspicious, but no preliminary cause has been released. Chief Bacon noted that the investigation will be extensive, as investigators work to “put the scene back together and figure out what happened.”
Gabriel House, operated by Gabriel Care, Inc. and owned by Dennis Etzkorn, has been a fixture in Fall River since opening in 1999. The facility, originally a motel known as Redwood Manor in the 1960s, was converted into an assisted living center for older adults, offering 24-hour staffing and care for residents with conditions such as diabetes, incontinence, and limited mobility. The building was equipped with sprinklers and smoke detectors, according to the Massachusetts State Fire Marshal, though Chief Bacon could not confirm whether the sprinklers were activated during the fire. The last recorded state inspection occurred on July 8, 2025, with the facility’s certificate valid through October 15, 2025.
The fire caused extensive damage to one wing of the building, with smoke damage throughout, rendering the facility uninhabitable. All residents have been displaced, and city officials have prioritized securing replacement medications and arranging long-term housing. A temporary shelter was established at the Timao Center on Bay Street, where 35 survivors were housed on Monday. Mayor Paul Coogan announced that 20 of the most medically fragile residents would be transferred to a nursing home on Highland Avenue, with plans to ensure safe placement for the remaining survivors.
**A Call for Support and Reflection**
The Fall River community has begun to rally around those affected. Rachael Desrosiers, a local business owner, has opened her store, Thrifty Tots, in nearby Tiverton, Rhode Island, as a donation drop-off point for clothing and essentials. “I have shoes, I have clothing, I have toys, and I have so much of it,” she said. “Why not put it into the hands of people who actually need it?” Father Rob Nemkovich, Fall River police chaplain, has been assisting displaced residents with food, clothing, and medication coordination at the Timao Center.
Vigils are being planned to honor the victims, and city leaders are urging residents to contribute through donations or volunteer efforts. A family reunification center has been established at the chapel of St. Anne’s Hospital, across from Gabriel House, and families seeking information can call 508-674-5741.
The tragedy has sparked renewed discussions about safety protocols in assisted living facilities, particularly for residents with mobility limitations. The International Association of Fire Fighters criticized the Fall River Fire Department’s staffing levels, claiming that only two of the city’s 10 fire companies meet the national standard of four firefighters per unit. Union leaders argued that adequate staffing could have saved more lives, a claim Mayor Coogan countered by stating that the department’s most recent staffing request was fully met.
**In Remembrance**
The nine lives lost—mothers, fathers, grandparents, and neighbors—leave an indelible mark on Fall River. Their memory lives on in the hearts of their families and the community. To the survivors, your resilience inspires hope in the face of unimaginable loss. Fall River grieves together, and the road to healing will be walked as a community, one day at a time.
May the victims rest in peace, and may strength and compassion guide Fall River forward. For those wishing to support the survivors and their families, stay tuned to official city and nonprofit channels for updates on relief efforts.
