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
UFO writer, paranormal YouTuber dies in suicide at home after mental health call: police

Tragic Loss: Renowned UFO Writer and Paranormal YouTuber’s Untimely Death Raises Mental Health Awareness

This article contains discussions about suicide. If you or someone you know…
Sneaky bear snatches bag of Doritos left outside CT home, video shows

Bear Heist: Connecticut Home Security Captures Bear Stealing Doritos in Broad Daylight

It seems this bear is a cut above the rest! In a…
Live Updates | Homes destroyed, residents evacuated due to wildfire in Brantley County, Georgia

Live Coverage: Wildfire Forces Evacuations and Destroys Homes in Brantley County, Georgia

An expansive wildfire along Highway 82 in Brantley County continues to pose…
Tranquilized bear that fell from tree in Albany released back into the wild

Tranquilized Bear Rescued from Albany Tree Successfully Returned to Natural Habitat

The escape was a bear necessity! The black bear that captured the…
UK landlords advertising 'Muslim only' housing in potential violation of discrimination laws

UK Landlords Face Scrutiny for ‘Muslim Only’ Housing Ads Amid Discrimination Law Concerns

Recent reports suggest that some landlords in London are purportedly listing properties…
Illinois State University sued over alleged strikebreaker hiring during strike

Illinois State University Faces Legal Battle Over Alleged Strikebreaking Tactics Amid Faculty Strike

On Tuesday, the union for certain employees at Illinois State University initiated…
Emmy-award winning journalist allegedly hid cameras in TV station dressing rooms, police say

Scandal Uncovered: Emmy-Winning Journalist Accused of Secretly Filming in TV Dressing Rooms

An Emmy award-winning journalist finds himself on the wrong side of the…
Trump is considering major expansion of refugee program for white South Africans

Trump Weighs Significant Expansion of Refugee Program for White South Africans

WASHINGTON, April 23 — The Trump administration is weighing a significant increase…
Second alleged Guthrie ransom deadline missed, sparking new theories from Bongino, former FBI agent and doctor

Speedy DNA Test Results Possible in High-Profile Nancy Guthrie Case, Expert Reveals

A prominent figure in genetic genealogy anticipates that the analysis of a…
17-year-old sought for attempted murder in mass shooting near University of Iowa: police

Police Seek 17-Year-Old Suspect in Attempted Murder Case Following Mass Shooting Near University of Iowa

A 17-year-old is being sought by police on charges of attempted murder…
LA’s wildlife crossing bridge could bring traffic to Malibu for months

Wildlife Crossing in LA: How the New Bridge Might Impact Malibu Traffic for Months

A vital commuter artery between Los Angeles and Malibu is slated to…
'Pro-life Spiderman' Maison Des Champs sentenced for climbing Las Vegas Sphere, causing $100K in damage

Activist ‘Pro-life Spiderman’ Maison Des Champs Sentenced for Climbing Incident on Las Vegas Sphere, Resulting in $100K Damage

The man known as the “Pro-life Spiderman” has been sentenced to jail…