Assisted-living home cited for late reports of safety incidents years before fatal fire
Five men and four women were killed and at least 30 others were injured Sunday night at Gabriel House in Fall River, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Boston. Some of the 70 residents were rescued by ladder after screaming for help from the windows of the three-story building. The cause of the blaze is under investigation.
The 100-unit facility, which opened in 1999 in a former motel built decades earlier, was last inspected by the state on Oct. 31, 2023, according to a report from the state Executive Office of Elder Affairs.
The report cited the facility for seven deficiencies, four of which were repeat problems. After the facility responded with a corrective action plan, it was re-certified through November 2025.
Most of the issues involved missing documentation. For example, seven resident files that were reviewed were missing documents to indicate that their service plans were reassessed within 30 days of moving in, as required. The plans outline the services each resident receives, including whether they need help with medication and meals.
The review also found problems with the reporting of safety incidents. Facilities are supposed to submit reports of incidents that could have a significant negative effect on residents' health, safety or welfare within 24 hours, but the review found 26 reports that were sent later than that between May 5, 2022, and Oct. 31, 2023.
The report did not specify the total number of incidents, or provide any details about what they involved.
The state also watched two staffers provide medication assistance to seven residents and found several problems, including failure to document when eye drops were opened, loose tablets in medication storage areas and partially opened medication.
Advocates question staff size and other issues
Some residents said only two or three staffers were working at the time of the fire, and they offered little help.
'They left us alone and ran out into the parking lot,' said Lorraine Ferrara. 'I was hanging out the window — 'Help! Help!' and they just kept running.'
Paul Lanzikos, a former Massachusetts secretary of elder affairs and co-founder of the advocacy group Dignity Alliance, said the group was concerned about reports on the lack of fire drills, the small number of staff members for a highly dependent population and safety issues such as a broken elevator and air conditioners in the windows.
'It's a terrible tragedy that should have never happened,' Lanzikos said.
Richard Moore, another co-founder of Dignity Alliance, has asked the attorney general to investigate based on similar concerns as well as the facility owner's history. Dennis Etzkorn, owner of Gabriel Care LLC, was indicted on medical assistance fraud and kickback charges in 2012, though the charges were dismissed three years later.
'The fact that it happened in the past and that this now happened suggests that there should be a more thorough investigation of that,' said Moore, former head of the Massachusetts Assisted Living Association and a former state senator.
He said the assisted-living industry overall needs more rigorous regulation and oversight. And while it's too early to say what went wrong at Gabriel House, he said the staffing levels and training appear to have been inadequate.
Regulations require emergency plans
Current regulations do not require a specific number of staff members, but the rules say facilities 'shall have a plan to secure staffing necessary' to respond to emergencies.
'There should have been more staff. They should have been trained in the case of fire or other emergency,' Moore said. 'Quarterly, they should have been doing fire drills. It seemed like residents didn't know what to do.'
Etzkorn declined to comment to The Associated Press. He told the Boston Globe in a statement Monday that he and his family were 'devastated by the tragedy' and that he will continue to cooperate with authorities.
By Tuesday morning, the facility's broken windows had been boarded up, and bouquets of flowers and a rosary were set on the ground against a post wrapped with yellow police tape.
Ann O'Neil-Souza, chief of staff for the mayor, said city officials expect to find homes for the survivors from Gabriel House by the end of Tuesday. She said most were being placed with other facilities in the city and with family, and hospitals have been asked to work with social workers to ensure patients find housing when they are discharged.
The dead ranged in age from 61 to 86, authorities said. The Bristol County District Attorney's Office identified seven of the deceased as Rui Albernaz, 64; Ronald Codega, 61; Margaret Duddy, 69; Robert King, 78; Kim Mackin, 71; Richard Rochon, 78; and Eleanor Willett, 86. The office said the names of a 70-year-old woman and a 77-year-old man had not been released pending notification of family.
___ Ramer reported from Concord, New Hampshire. Smith reported from Providence, Rhode Island. Associated Press Writer Michael Casey in Boston contributed to this report.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


CBS News
7 hours ago
- CBS News
Lodi Fire Foundation turns to community to support local fire stations
The Lodi Fire Foundation has launched a new campaign, seeking community support to help fund local fire stations. "If you have a safe and healthy fire department, then you have a safe and healthy community," Lodi Fire Foundation President Chris Meehleis said. To do it, they say, every extra piece of equipment counts. The new campaign is called Sponsor Your Local Fire Station. "We have four," Meehleis explained." You can pick one, the one that you live near, or you can just do it for Lodi in general." This year's city budget provides roughly $19 million to the fire department that supports 47 total firefighters, with 15 on call every day. To keep that up, they need all the help they can get. "It's just another fundraising opportunity," Lodi Fire Foundation Treasurer Hobie Day shared. "We have two big ones that we mostly focus on, the golf tournament in May, and then the Christmas festival in December. So we're just always looking for additional sources of fundraising that we can contribute to the fire department and ultimately, the community of Lodi." Anyone can donate any amount of money to the foundation, ranging from a dollar to $10. All of it goes back into the departments right in your neighborhood. "It allows us to help raise funds to meet the unfunded needs," Lodi Fire Foundation Vice Chair Kirk Sasaki said. "We can help keep our firefighters safe or get them equipment that can help them help keep our community safe as well." The equipment the foundation has already given to the department is not only essential for the firefighters, but the community as a whole. "We're now on this campaign for the cardiac monitors," Meehleis continued. "The city bought one, then the foundation bought another one, and it attaches to the patient and tells all the vitals. It sends that information to the hospital ahead, before they get there, so the emergency rooms can know who, what and all the vitals that are coming in." Other equipment includes extractors, which help wash toxins out of fire gear, tactical vests to protect crews from bullets, and equipment for their water rescue boat. All equipment to protect them so they can protect us. "Lodi is unique. It's livable, lovable Lodi, right? So that's why everybody here supports Lodi, and it's a great community. You can't beat it. Everybody pitches in, donates, and not just to us. It's a very giving community," Meehleis said. The Lodi Fire Foundation says they typically raise $50,000 to $60,000 every year.


CBS News
18 hours ago
- CBS News
Northridge electric forklift fire prompts nearby evacuations
Los Angeles Fire Department crews are working to control the fire of a smaller battery-powered forklift inside a commercial equipment yard in Northridge. The fire broke out around 7:30 a.m. at the Sunbelt Rentals property on W. Napa Street. LAFD HAZMAT crews are performing air monitoring and evacuating the surrounding area as a precaution. Aerial footage showed plumes of smoke around 9 a.m., as crews safely let the forklift burn itself out, according to LAFD. No injuries have been reported.
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Yahoo
Landlines to be reconnected after tractor fire
Work to restore broadband and landline services affected by a fire that broke out in a tractor is to begin next week. The blaze began in a tractor on the A484 near Llangeler, Carmarthenshire, on 18 July, before spreading to other vehicles and a house. Firefighters from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service were on scene for more than three hours. Openreach said "complex" repair work would begin on Tuesday, adding: "We understand how frustrating this is and the impact it's having, so we really appreciate everyone's patience and understanding while we carry out the repairs." Tractor, house and hay bales wrecked in blaze It added its network was damaged in the fire, with overhead cables affected and broadband and landline services disrupted for some customers in the area. It said it was working closely with the council and partners to resolve the issue. "The work is complex and time-consuming, involving both fibre and copper cables, which require different specialist teams," Openreach added. Any customers experiencing issues have been asked to contact their service provider for support. Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said the fire was believed to have started in a tractor but spread to a load of hay bales that were under tow. It also spread to two other vehicles, along with a nearby house, where it was confined to the kitchen and attic.