In a devastating scene late Sunday night, a raging fire tore through the Gabriel House Assisted Living Facility in Fall River, Massachusetts, claiming at least nine lives and injuring dozens more. The blaze, which erupted around 9:30 p.m., quickly engulfed sections of the facility—home to many elderly and non-ambulatory residents—trapping some in their rooms.
“This is one of the worst tragedies our city has ever witnessed,” said a visibly shaken Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan. As of Monday morning, several of the victims remained inside the charred building, with search and recovery operations continuing into the daylight hours.
‘I Thought I Was Going to Die’
For survivors, the horror was unforgettable. Resident Lorraine Ferrara awoke to choking smoke and scalding water pouring from sprinklers. Trapped and terrified, she was saved by a firefighter who shattered her window and pulled her to safety.
“I really thought I was going to die,” Ferrara recalled, still shaken from the ordeal.