FALL RIVER, Mass. — 9 individuals have died in a hearth at an assisted residing facility in Massachusetts, the place individuals had been hanging out of home windows screaming for assist, authorities mentioned Monday. At the least 30 individuals had been injured.
Firefighters responded to the Gabriel Home assisted residing facility in Fall River at about 9:50 p.m. Sunday and had been met with heavy smoke and flames on the entrance of the constructing, with occupants trapped inside, the state Division of Fireplace Providers mentioned in a information launch. About 70 individuals dwell in the home.
The fireplace was out by Monday morning, and firefighters had been in a position to get inside and rescue quite a few occupants. About 50 firefighters responded, together with 30 who had been off-duty.
A lot of these rescued had been taken to native and regional hospitals in various situations. 5 firefighters suffered accidents that weren’t life-threatening, the assertion mentioned.
“That is an unfathomable tragedy for the households concerned and the Fall River group,” mentioned Chief Jeffrey Bacon.
He instructed reporters “a number of individuals had been hanging out the home windows seeking to be rescued.” Relations who confirmed up mentioned police had been making an attempt to interrupt home windows.
Leo Johnson, 45, of Fall River, instructed The Boston Globe he rushed over to seek out his 68-year-old mom, who lives on the highest ground of Gabriel Home.
“I used to be kinda freaking out as a result of she wasn’t one of many ones exterior,” he mentioned. He ultimately discovered her, saying she was exterior soaking moist as a result of the sprinklers had been going off.
The Fall River Police Division in a press release mentioned that “with out hesitation, officers entered the smoke-filled facility, breaking down doorways and escorting residents to security.
“Roughly a dozen non-ambulatory residents had been bodily carried out by our officers. Their bravery and fast motion undoubtedly saved many lives.”
The origin and reason behind the hearth are underneath investigation, state and native authorities mentioned.
Fall River, which has about 94,000 individuals, is about 20 miles (32 kilometers) southeast of Windfall, Rhode Island.