Fall River Assisted Living Fire Claims 10 Lives, Dozens Injured

A devastating fire at the Gabriel House assisted living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts, has claimed its tenth victim, Brenda Cropper, who died after being hospitalized in critical condition. The fire, which began on the second floor, resulted in nine other deaths and injured over 30 people, many of whom were unable to evacuate without assistance due to their health conditions. Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon described the scene as harrowing, with residents trapped and firefighters forced to make difficult rescue decisions amid thick smoke and flames. Though the cause of the fire remains under investigation, authorities state it does not appear suspicious, but concerns have been raised about substandard conditions, understaffing, and the minimal regulations governing assisted living facilities like Gabriel House. Inspection reports dating back to 2019 showed no violations, but relatives and displaced residents have reported poor conditions, including pest infestations and delayed health and safety incident reporting by the facility’s owner. This tragedy has highlighted critical issues concerning the safety and oversight of vulnerable populations in such facilities and the challenges faced by emergency services in Fall River.