The head of the firefighters says that “several people were hung on the windows waiting to be rescued“. Witnesses report that the police were trying to leave glass.
Nine people died and at least 30 were injured in a fire in a fad of the elderly in the city of Fall River, Massachusetts state, the local authorities declared.
Firefighters responded to Fire alert in an elderly home In Fall River, Massachusetts, around 9:50 pm on Sunday, local time (02:50 Monday in Lisbon), according to a statement from the State Fire Department.
When the firefighters arrived at Gabriel House Assisted Living Facility, they were confronted with a cloud of smoke and intense flames leaving the buildingwith residents arrested inside. Firefighters managed to enter the scene and rescue several home residents, where 70 people live.
About 50 firefighters responded to the fire call -including 30 that were off -which was dominated on Monday morning,
Wounded people were taken to local and regional hospitals and five firefighters suffered minor injuries, according to the statement.
“This is a unimaginable tragedy For the families involved and the Fall River community, “said Fire Department Jeffrey Bacon.
Bacon told reporters that “several people were hanging in the windows, waiting to be rescued“. Family members who appeared also said the police were trying to leave glass.
Fall River’s police department in a statement said that “without hesitation, the agents entered the installation full of smoke, broken into doors and escorting residents to a safe place.
The origin and cause of the fire are under investigation, state and local authorities said.
Fall River, with about 94,000 inhabitants, is about 32 kilometers southeast of Providence in Rhode Island.
