Nine dead in assisted living facility fire due to possible smoking hazard

In Fall River, Massachusetts, a deadly fire occurred on July 13, 2023, at the Gabriel House assisted living facility, resulting in the tragic loss of nine lives and injuries to over two dozen others. The victims, aged between 61 and 86, perished as the fire engulfed the building, making it one of the deadliest fires in the state's history in over four decades. Investigators are currently exploring various factors that may have contributed to the incident, including the potential role of smoking near an oxygen tank and whether the building's sprinkler system was functioning properly. Both of these elements are being scrutinized to determine their involvement in the disaster. Body camera footage released by Fall River Police shows officers assisting firefighters in the rescue efforts, highlighting the serious challenges faced by rescuers, as many residents were unable to escape due to mobility issues. Fall River’s Mayor Paul Coogan stated that only two staff members were present during the fire, which raised concerns about safety protocols at the facility given the presence of 70 residents at the time. In response to this tragedy, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has initiated new safety measures aimed at reinforcing fire protocols within assisted living facilities statewide. Starting July 21, all assisted living facilities will be required to communicate fire safety protocols to residents and families and ensure proper compliance with safety requirements such as the maintenance of sprinkler systems and conducting regular fire drills. Furthermore, these regulations are a response to the latest incident, reflecting a heightened focus on emergency preparedness across the state’s assisted living sector.