Fall River Fire at Gabriel House Live
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River firefighters union says low staffing levels prevented them from rescuing more people in Massachusetts deadliest fire in 40 years.
What they saw upon initial arrival on the scene was horrific and at times, they were powerless and couldn’t perform the duties that they wanted to.”
Police, fire, and EMS crews worked to rescue residents as smoke and flames spread through Gabriel House Assisted Living Facility in the heart of the city.
Brenda Cropper, 66, had been hospitalized in critical condition for several days. She was the 10th person killed in the Fall River fire.
The city is taking a significant step closer to meeting the national standard for firefighters working at a given time.
River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon deferred all questions about the fire investigation to the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services.
Lt. Paul Machado, a 30-year veteran of Fall River Fire Department who helped rescue elderly and disabled residents of Gabriel House by ladder, reflects on the tragedy.