More than four dozen firefighters responded to a fire at Gabriel House shortly before 10 pm on Sunday. Fall River’s Fire Department says there are several wounded and deadly victims
Nine people died on Sunday night at an elderly home that set fire to Fall River, Massachusetts, according to the authorities, with the elderly asking for help.
The death toll was confirmed this Monday morning by firefighters, with 30 other people injured, CNN branch said WCVB.
“The teams came across intense fire out of the main entrance and several people hanging from the windows, waiting to be rescued,” Fall River firefighters said Jeffrey Bacon to journalists abroad of Gabriel House facilities.
“Unfortunately, at this time, we have deadly victims and several injured,” he added.
Authorities did not immediately giving details about the injuries suffered by the residents, but Bacon said five firefighters were removed from the scene with “mild injuries.”
“Many of these people needed help leaving the building and a five -star effort has allowed to remove as many people as possible,” said Mayor of Fall River, Paul Coogan.
Gabriel House has been operating since 1999, according to the State Department of Health and Social Services. The three -story building has 100 residential units and about 70 residents lived there at the time of the fire, the Fire Department said.
Massachusetts State Police are helping to investigate the cause of the fire.
The Gabriel House website says there are staff 24 hours a day. Elderly homes in Massachusetts “should always have enough personal to deal with emergencies and meet the needs of residents, as required by resident service plans”, according to the aging and independence executive cabinet.
“This is an unbelievable tragedy for the families involved and the Fall River community,” chief Bacon said in a statement. “On behalf of the Fall River Fire Department, I want to express our sincere condolences to the loved ones who are mourning this morning.”
