FALL RIVER, MA — A devastating fire at the Gabriel House Assisted Living Facility on Oliver Street on July 13, 2025, claimed the lives of nine residents and left dozens injured, marking one of the deadliest fires in Massachusetts in decades. On Wednesday, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn III announced that 77-year-old Joseph Wilansky was among the victims, making him the eighth resident publicly identified. The identity of the ninth victim, a 70-year-old woman, remains withheld as authorities continue efforts to notify her next of kin.
The blaze, which erupted around 9:30 p.m., rapidly engulfed the three-story facility, home to approximately 70 elderly residents, many with limited mobility or requiring oxygen assistance. Firefighters arrived to a chaotic scene, with heavy smoke and flames pouring from the building and residents screaming for help from windows. Seven other victims were identified on July 14: Rui Albernaz, 64; Ronald Codega, 61; Margaret Duddy, 69; Robert King, 78; Kim Mackin, 71; Richard Rochon, 78; and Eleanor Willett, 86. Among the injured, a 66-year-old woman remains in critical condition at Rhode Island Hospital, with no further updates on her status. At least 30 residents and five firefighters were transported to local hospitals, including Saint Anne’s Hospital and Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, and Rhode Island Hospital in Providence.
The fire, classified as a five-alarm blaze, drew around 50 firefighters, including off-duty personnel who rushed to assist. Despite their efforts, the tragedy has raised serious concerns about staffing shortages in the Fall River Fire Department. Union leaders, including Edward Kelly of the International Association of Fire Fighters, noted that eight of the city’s fire companies were staffed with three firefighters per truck, below the national standard of four. “There’s no doubt that would have made a difference in the amount of people that we lost,” Kelly said. Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon acknowledged the staffing challenges but cautioned against speculation, stating, “You could have had 100 firefighters show up, and it wouldn’t have been enough for an event like this.” The city has since hired an outside consulting firm to review fire services, including response times and staffing levels.
The investigation into the fire’s cause, led by the Fall River Fire Department, Fall River Police, State Police, and the State Fire Marshal’s office, remains ongoing. Preliminary findings suggest the fire may have stemmed from an electrical or mechanical issue, with no evidence of foul play at this time. The facility, owned by Dennis Etzkorn’s Gabriel Care, Inc., was equipped with sprinklers and smoke detectors, though some residents reported not hearing alarms in their rooms, only in hallways. A 2023 state compliance review by the Executive Office of Aging & Independence cited Gabriel House for issues like inconsistent documentation and improperly stored medications, but the facility was certified to operate through November 2025 after submitting a corrective plan. Allegations from current and former employees, including a lack of fire drills and inadequate staffing, have renewed scrutiny of the facility’s emergency preparedness.
The community has rallied to support survivors, who were evacuated to the Timao Center on Bay Street, where they received food, clothing, and medical supplies. The Fall River Firefighters Wives Association launched a GoFundMe to aid affected families, and a family reunification center was established at Saint Anne’s Hospital chapel. Mayor Paul Coogan emphasized efforts to secure housing and medications for displaced residents, many of whom are on MassHealth. Governor Maura Healey, who visited the site, called the tragedy “horrifying” and praised first responders for preventing an even greater loss of life. “We are all praying for those who lost loved ones and for the full recovery of those injured,” she said.
As Fall River mourns, questions linger about the state’s oversight of assisted living facilities and the adequacy of emergency resources. District Attorney Quinn has vowed to provide updates as the investigation progresses, with a final report expected to clarify the fire’s cause and contributing factors. For now, the city remains focused on healing, with residents and officials uniting to honor the victims and support those affected by this unimaginable loss.
