Aftermath of a fire at an assisted living facility.
Share this @internewscast.com

TERRIFIED residents caught in a fierce blaze at a nursing home made frantic phone calls to their families, pleading for assistance as smoke engulfed their rooms.

Screams echoed through the night as people stuck inside leaned out of their windows and cried out for rescue.

Aftermath of a fire at an assisted living facility.
Nine people were killed and at least 30 were injured after a fire tore through a Massachusetts assisted living facilityCredit: Fall River Firefighters
A fire victim being loaded onto an ambulance.
Some trapped residents called their family members in a panicCredit: Reuters
Paramedics wheeling a victim on a stretcher after a fire.
EMS rescued dozens of victims from the fireCredit: Reuters

The horror unfolded late Sunday at the Gabriel House Assisted Living Facility in Fall River, Massachusetts, about 50 miles south of Boston.

Nine people died, and at least 30 others were rushed to the hospital, officials said.

Some of the victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while others died later at area hospitals.

One woman said her father called her from inside the burning building, convinced he was going to die as smoke surrounded him.

“He was on the floor talking to me, and I am crying telling him, ‘Break the window. Try to break it,” Melanie told ABC local affiliate WCVB.

“He said, ‘It is open, but they are not hearing me. I am going to die in here.'”

It is unclear if the woman’s father survived the blaze.

The fire broke out around 9:50 pm, triggering a five-alarm response that brought in about 50 firefighters, including 30 who were off-duty.

Crews arrived to find thick smoke pouring out of the building and residents hanging out of windows screaming for help.

Roughly 70 residents were inside the facility when the fire started.

Huge blaze rips through industrial estate with 150 firefighters tackling warehouse, diggers and vehicles on fire

Firefighters used ladders to pull people from windows and carried others out of the building.

“Approximately a dozen non-ambulatory residents were physically carried out by our officers,” Fall River police said.

“Their bravery and quick action undoubtedly saved many lives.”

Firefighters were alerted by an automated alarm and rushed to the scene.

Fire chief’s full statement

Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon released the following statement after a fire resulted in the deaths of at least nine individuals at Gabriel House Assisted Living Facility on Sunday night:

This is an unfathomable tragedy for the families involved and the Fall River community.

On behalf of the Fall River Fire Department, I want to express our heartfelt condolences to the loved ones who are grieving this morning.

Source: Fall River Department of Fire Services

The flames were mostly confined to one wing of the building, but smoke spread throughout the entire facility.

Five firefighters were also injured and later released from the hospital.

“This is an unfathomable tragedy for the families involved and the Fall River community,” Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon said in a statement.

“To the family and friends of those who perished, I express my condolences and sympathy on behalf of the commonwealth,” stated Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey.

Mayor Paul Coogan said the police and fire departments acted heroically in the face of “indescribable tragedy.”

Displaced residents were taken to a local shelter following the chaos.

A family reunification center has been set up at the Timao Center for those seeking information.

Gabriel House first opened in 1999 and includes 100 units, according to state records.

It’s designed to support seniors who live independently but need help with daily tasks.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by state and local authorities.

Fire damage to an assisted living facility.
Displaced residents were taken to a local shelter following the chaosCredit: AP
Fire damage to an assisted living facility.
Some of the victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while others died later at area hospitalsCredit: AP
Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Chicago City Council members flex political muscle in dispute on city budget, Mayor Brandon Johnson's proposed corporate head tax

Chicago City Council Asserts Influence in Debate Over City Budget and Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Corporate Head Tax Proposal

Chicago’s Mayor Brandon Johnson faces a challenging situation as his proposed budget…
Doctor, wife gunned down in shooting outside California home; authorities probing possibly-linked suicide

Tragic Family Incident: Son Allegedly Kills Esteemed Doctor and Wife, Sets Car Ablaze Before Suicide

The son of a prominent radiologist from Southern California is believed to…
Steve Cropper, guitarist and member of Stax Records' Booker T and the M.G.'s, has died at age 84

Legendary Stax Records Guitarist Steve Cropper Passes Away at 84: Remembering His Iconic Legacy

Steve Cropper, the legendary guitarist and songwriter whose soulful tunes defined an…
Suspect arrested twice after allegedly carrying out two separate unprovoked assaults only minutes apart

Shocking Back-to-Back Attacks: Suspect Arrested Twice for Consecutive Unprovoked Assaults

In Portland, a man has been taken into custody twice within the…
Adams issues orders blocking NYC from boycotting Israel as clash with Mamdani grows

NYC Mayor Adams Halts City Boycott of Israel Amid Intensifying Dispute with Councilmember Mamdani

In his final days in office, New York City Mayor Eric Adams…
Thunderbirds pilot ejects safely as F-16C crashes during California training mission over controlled airspace

Thunderbirds Pilot Safely Ejects After F-16C Crash in California Training Exercise

On Wednesday, a U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds pilot safely ejected from an…
Brian Walshe told cops his missing wife left for a flight on Jan 1, JetBlue records keeper says otherwise

JetBlue Records Contradict Brian Walshe’s Claim of Wife’s Departure on Jan 1, Police Report Reveals

On Wednesday, the murder trial of Boston art fraudster Brian Walshe saw…
Conservative professor slams 0 grade for Oklahoma student's biblical essay as punitive: 'very inappropriate'

Conservative Professor Criticizes 0 Grade for Oklahoma Student’s Biblical Essay, Deems it ‘Highly Inappropriate

A conservative professor from the University of Wisconsin system has voiced his…
911 call captures alleged attack by suspect prior to St. Johns County deputy-involved shooting

Alarming 911 Audio Reveals Incident Leading to Deputy Shooting in St. Johns County

Authorities in St. Johns County are investigating a chilling sequence of events…
$775 million Powerball: Winning numbers for Wednesday, Dec. 3

Unveiled: Dec. 3 Winning Numbers for the Massive $775 Million Powerball Jackpot!

The Powerball jackpot has surged into the ranks of the top 10…
Wait, What? Minneapolis Police Chief Urges Residents to Call 911 on ICE Agents

Minneapolis Police Chief Advises Residents: Dial 911 for ICE Encounters

In a surprising turn of events, many Minnesotans have reaffirmed their support…
Obamacare subsidies granted without documentation to 90% of fake accounts set up by government watchdog

Government Watchdog Uncovers 90% of Fake Accounts Receiving Obamacare Subsidies Without Documentation

A recent report by a government watchdog has revealed that a staggering…