Nursing home fire in the U.S.: 9 dead and 30 injured

According to reports, following the fire at this elderly care facility in Massachusetts, 9 people lost their lives and dozens of others were hospitalized.

The incident occurred in Fall River, and local officials are calling it an "indescribable tragedy."

Gabriel House, operational since 1999, is a three-story assisted living facility with 100 single-bed units, housing about 70 residents at the time of the fire. It provides independent living support for older adults with 24-hour staffing, as required by Massachusetts regulations for assisted living facilities.

Nine residents were confirmed deceased. Some victims died at the scene, while others succumbed to their injuries after being transported to local hospitals.

Over 30 residents were hospitalized, with one individual reported in critical condition as of Monday morning, July 14, 2025. Five firefighters sustained minor injuries, primarily from dehydration.

The cause and origin of the fire are under investigation. The facility was equipped with sprinklers, though it is unclear if they were operational during the fire. Alarms were audible during a Monday morning news conference, but their functionality at the time of the fire remains unconfirmed.