Massachusetts, Assisted living
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The Fall River mayor’s office has confirmed all Gabriel House residents displaced by the tragic Sunday fire that claimed nine lives now have new living arrangements.
When the deadly fire broke out Sunday night at Gabriel House in Fall River, Massachusetts, the assisted living facility had 70 residents and just two staff members working, according to the mayor and an employee.
The 100-unit assisted-living facility that burned Sunday night, killing nine people so far, opened in 1999 in Fall River, Massachusetts. Some photos on its Facebook page show neat rooms but older-looking carpeting and furniture, and before the fire state inspectors had hit the facility with health and safety citations.
Gabriel House was an assisted living residence, according to the state of Massachusetts. Here's how the state defines that
FALL RIVER — The nine residents killed in a fire here at Gabriel House, an assisted living residence, are being remembered as fonts of knowledge and symbols of longevity.
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The eighth victim in the fatal fire that ripped through the Gabriel House assisted living facility in Fall River on Sunday has been identified. Joseph Wilansky, 77, was identified by Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn III on Wednesday.
Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quin III identified the 9 victims on Monday as 64-year-old Rui Albernaz, 61-year-old Ronald Codega, 69-year-old Margaret Duddy, 78-year-old Robert King, 71-year-old Kim Mackin, 78-year-old Richard Rochon, and 86-year-old Eleanor Willett.
Questions and finger-pointing have increased in the days since a fire at a Massachusetts assisted-living facility killed nine and hurt dozens.
There’s no doubt in my mind that that fire was destined to kill 50-plus people,” Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon said Wednesday.
The fire that claimed nine lives at an assisted-living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts, "was destined to kill 50-plus people," according to the local fire chief.