Gabriel House Fire Kills 10, Five Hospitalized Massachusetts

A devastating fire at Gabriel House, an assisted living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts, on July 13, resulted in the deaths of at least ten residents and left several others hospitalized, including one in critical condition. The facility had longstanding safety and sanitary issues, including prolonged elevator outages that confined residents to upper floors and reports of rodent infestations and missed medical care. Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon confirmed ongoing investigations into the fire's cause, complicated by extensive damage, while officials have ruled out arson. Despite official records showing compliance with fire drills, multiple residents and staff reported no participation in such drills for years. The victims identified include elderly residents such as Brenda Cropper, who died in hospital days after the fire, and others ranging in age from 61 to 86. The Fall River community continues to support survivors and families, with evacuees relocated and volunteers assisting at temporary housing centers.