A fire at a care home facility in the state of Massachusetts killed 9 residents and left some 30 others injured, local authorities said on Monday.
The incident took place on Sunday at 9:50 p.m local time (02:50 UTC/GMT) at the Gabriel House facility in the community of Fall River, some 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of the city of Boston.
Fall River is one of the poorest cities in the state of Massachusetts with some 94,000 residents.
Flames and smoke spread through the facility, trapping residents inside, some of which were found leaning out of windows and screaming for help, authorities said Monday.
Cause of fire not yet known
The city opened a temporary shelter to assist the surviving residents.
Some 50 firefighters responded to the scene, including 30 who were off-duty. They were met with heavy smoke and flames in the front portion of the building.
Authorities had to break down doors to rescue a dozen residents. Five firefighters were injured during the operation.
“This is an unfathomable tragedy for the families involved and the Fall River community,” Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon said.
The origin and cause of the fire are unknown and now being investigated.
A facility for lower income seniors
According to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Aging & Independence, the Gabriel House opened in 1999 and has 100 units.
The facility promotes studio apartments “for those seniors who cannot afford the high end of assisted living” as well as group adult foster care, according to the website.
It is located within walking distance of shopping, restaurants and churches.
Facility owner Dennis Etzkorn did not comment on the fire but according to authorities, he is cooperating with the investigation.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has offered state assistance to the Fall River community and gave her condolences to the families of those who died, while also thanking first respondents for their work.
“Right now, the first order of business is to make sure we’re assisting the city in every way possible in rehousing what is a vulnerable population,” Healey said. “All of these people need assistance. As you saw, many were in wheelchairs, many were immobile, many had oxygen tanks,” she added.
Edited by: Kieran Burke
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