Final victim identified in fire at Massachusetts assisted-living facility

Final victim identified in fire at Massachusetts assisted-living facilityNew Foto - Final victim identified in fire at Massachusetts assisted-living facility

FALL RIVER, MA — The final victim in a fire that tore through anassisted living facility in Massachusetts, killing 10 people and injuring dozens more, was publicly identified on the evening of July 21. TheBristol County District Attorney's Officeidentified the victim as Halina Lawler, 70. Lawler's identity was initially withheld due to a pending next-of-kin notification. The fire erupted on the evening of July 13 at the Gabriel House assisted living facility in Fall River, about 50 miles south of Boston. The flames trapped residents inside the100-unit facility, forcing first responders to kick down doors and pull screaming people out through windows. The facility, which opened in 1999, housed about 70 people at the time of the incident. Multiple people were declared dead at the scene, and over 30 people were transported to hospitals with injuries, including five firefighters with minor injuries, authorities previously said. Theother Gabriel House residentswho were killed in the fire were identified as Rui Albernaz, 64; Ronald Codega, 61; Brenda Cropper, 66; Margaret Duddy, 69; Robert King, 78; Kim Mackin, 71; Richard Rochon, 78; Joseph Wilansky, 77; and Eleanor Willett, 86. Thecause of the fireremains under investigation. The fire does not appear suspicious, but investigators haven't narrowed down the potential factors to a single cause,Massachusetts Department of Fire Servicesspokesperson Jake Wark previously said. Massachusetts fire:Death toll from fire at senior living facility in Fall River increases As authorities investigate the cause of the blaze, the operators of Gabriel Housereleased their first statementon the incident, calling it heartbreaking. The statement, issued by Regan Communications Group of Boston, was shared on behalf of Gabriel Care Inc. on July 21. "There are no words to adequately convey the depths of our grief and shock over the devastating events of July 13 at the Gabriel House. Indeed, to call what occurred that night a tragedy is an understatement," the statement reads. "Our hearts are broken for the victims and their families; their losses will never be forgotten." "The Gabriel House has been a fixture in the community for decades, and our staff – half of whom have been with us for 10 years or more – is deeply dedicated to improving the lives of our residents every day," the statement continued, adding that temporary housing has been provided to residents who were displaced by the fire. Fire at a senior living facility:What to know about its residents, past problems. The statement noted that the facility has been cooperating with state and local fire investigators, and has provided authorities with "all records related to the building's safety," including documents of regular testing of the sprinkler system. The operators defended their safety and inspection record, saying that there were quarterly inspections of the fire suppression system, with the latest inspection conducted just five days before the fire. The operators said in the statement that authorities took several sprinkler heads from the facility for further investigation. "We will continue to provide investigators with whatever assistance they need. We, like them, realize the importance of knowing exactly what caused this catastrophe, and if there were factors that made it worse," according to the statement. "Our community, our residents, and most of all, the families who have suffered these unimaginable losses, deserve nothing less. We deeply value our standing in the Fall River community and will continue to strive every day to be a responsible, compassionate, and caring neighbor." Contributing: Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on The Herald News:Fall River blaze: Victim identified in fire at Massachusetts facility

 

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