Haunting final words of Fall River fire victim to care worker before assisted living center went up in flames
The unnamed resident told maintenance worker Nelson Gonzalez that 'tomorrow's not guaranteed' on Friday, before he was killed in the inferno on Sunday night.
Officials said nine people died and 30 were injured at Gabriel House Assisted Living Facility in Fall River, close to Providence, Rhode Island, after a fire tore through the building at around 9.30pm. One of those injured is reported to be 'very critically-ill'.
First responders were still combing the building for bodies by daylight on Monday as relatives gathered at the scene desperate for news about their missing loved ones.
Maintenance worker Gonzalez told The Boston Globe that he was friends with many of the relatives and he was with them as they enjoyed a picnic on Friday.
'I did make friends with a lot of the residents here, and unfortunately a few of them passed away,' said Gonzalez, 65, of New Bedford.
As he left work on Friday, he told the residents: 'I'll see you guys Monday', and one of them replied: 'Well, not sure because tomorrow's not guaranteed.'
'That was one of them that passed away,' Gonzalez said. 'I told him, "I'll see you Monday." He says, "Well, no God willing because tomorrow's not guaranteed." And he passes away.'
The victims have not yet been named, and the cause of fire is under investigation by Fall River Police and Massachusetts State Police.
State Fire Marshal Jon Davine's office told the Boston Globe that around 70 people were sleeping at Gabriel House Assisted Living Facility when the fire broke out.
Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon said that more than 30 people were taken to the hospital and nine people have died. One person remains in a critical condition.
Five firefighters were also treated at hospital and each has since been released, Bacon said. Around 50 firefighters rushed to the blaze, which triggered five alarms.
'Our heart goes out to all of the families of the people that were injured here, and the people that lost their lives here,' he told a press conference just after midnight.
'Fall River stands with them and sends out our thoughts and prayers.' Bacon grew visibly emotional and choked up as he announced the death toll at the facility.
Fall River, which is home to around 94,000 people, is about 20 miles (32 kilometers) southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, on the Massachusetts side of the border.
Gabriel House Assisted Living Facility on Oliver Street has a total of 100 units on the site, which was built in 1999, according to a state website listing care homes.
The Fall River Police Department said their patrol officers were the first on the scene. They were greeted by a wall of thick black smoke, and broke down doors to begin rescuing residents.
'Approximately a dozen non-ambulatory residents were physically carried out by our officers,' the department said in a statement.
'Their bravery and quick action undoubtedly saved many lives.'
A family reunification center has been opened at St. Anne's Hospital on Middle Street for people who have relatives in the care home.
Families can also call 508-674-5741 for assistance.
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