Gabriel House, Fall River
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Good morning. As investigators work to determine what sparked the deadly fire at a Fall River assisted living facility, here’s how you can help keep your loved ones who live at similar places safe. Investigators named seven of the deceased, who ranged in age from 61 to 86, including a Vietnam veteran whose niece remembered him as ”a tough cookie.”
Family members of survivors of the Gabriel House fire say their loved ones have had a hard time getting the daily medications they need.
A state official documented 26 instances where staff members did not report specific emergency situations to the state within the 24-hour window required by law.
Despite efforts by scores of firefighters – nearly half of whom were off duty at the time – and “every police officer in the city,” nine Gabriel House residents died in the fire, according to officials. Those killed range in age from 61 to 86. Dozens of others were injured, one critically.
NBC10 asked the Fall River Fire Department for its inspection records of Gabriel House. The people in charge of the records had been working overnight and through the day on the fire, and told NBC10 they didn't have those records available now.
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A Massachusetts assisted-living center where nine residents died in a fire was cited for failing to immediately report more than two dozen health and safety incidents.
The exact cause of the fire is under investigation, but the DA’s office said it did not appear to be suspicious. The Firefighters Wives Association has set up a GoFundMe page to help those affected by the fire. So far, it has raised more than $30,000.
It’s important to note that these allegations did not involve the Gabriel House assisted living facility and were unrelated to safety concerns.