Fall River Tragedy: Firefighters Union Alleges Staffing Shortages Contributed to Nine Deaths in Assisted Living Blaze
Fall River Tragedy: Firefighters Union Alleges Staffing Shortages Contributed to Nine Deaths in Assisted Living Blaze
Just days after a devastating fire at the Gabriel House Assisted Living Facility in Fall River claimed nine lives and injured over 30, the firefighters union has issued a stark statement, asserting that low staffing levels significantly hampered the emergency response and potentially led to more fatalities.
The inferno, which erupted Sunday night, saw residents describing a chaotic scene and harrowing escapes as the blaze rapidly engulfed the building. Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon reported that crews arrived to find multiple individuals attempting to escape from windows, necessitating immediate rescues.
Authorities have identified several victims, and the owner of the facility has released a statement. Meanwhile, the investigation into the fire’s cause remains ongoing, with the Bristol County District Attorney’s office indicating it does not appear to be suspicious. However, the facility’s owner has faced legal scrutiny in the past, including a 2012 indictment in an alleged kickback scheme, though those charges were later dropped.
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