Theyll write books about it Fall River fire chief tearfully describes scene of deadly Gabriel House fire

A tragic five-alarm fire at Gabriel House in Fall River claimed the lives of nine residents and injured dozens more, prompting an outpouring of support for the affected community. Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon described the scene as “eerily quiet” before chaos erupted, emphasizing the emotional burden carried by firefighters who faced harrowing conditions to save lives. Authorities have publicly identified eight victims, aged 61 to 86, while the identity of a ninth victim remains undisclosed. Investigators labeled the fire as accidental, but concerns have been raised regarding the facility's fire safety protocols, as reports surfaced indicating a lack of routine fire drills. Six firefighters were injured, but all injuries were reported as non-life-threatening.

In light of this tragedy, city officials announced plans to enhance fire department staffing, increasing the minimum number of trucks available. Bacon commended the heroic actions of the firefighters, asserting that many more lives could have been lost without their swift response. The city aims to address safety concerns to prevent future tragedies.