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Boston Globe
17-07-2025
- Boston Globe
After deadly Fall River fire, grief gives way to frustration and solidarity
The devastating fire Sunday night that also left 30 people hospitalized and dozens of others displaced has stirred feelings of disbelief and even anger in Fall River, a tightly-knit community on Massachusetts' South Coast. Some have resolved to help the victims and survivors however they can. Many are questioning whether the fire was preventable. Nina Amaral of New Bedford sorted through donations inside the chapel at Catholic Charities in Fall River on July 16. Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff Advertisement 'It's like, how does that happen,' said Rosa Vieira, a bartender at the nearby Clipper restaurant, which serves traditional Portuguese sirloin and seafood dishes . 'How do nine people die? It doesn't make sense.' At the restaurant, just a few blocks north of Gabriel House, the sense of frustration was palpable, with patrons exchanging pointed words over television news broadcasts about the fire . Sweating over a Portuguese lager Tuesday afternoon, owner Clement Raposo excoriated the facility, as well as city officials, for what he characterized as their derelict approach to safety. The building, he claimed, was known around town as being unsafe and 'filthy' inside. Raposo said a patron of the bar had lived, until Sunday, at Gabriel House, and thankfully had survived the fire. He said the patron told him Advertisement 'Now they're doing a big investigation,' Raposo said. 'What good is that? People already died.' Fall River is home to about 95,000 residents and includes a large immigrant community that has traditionally been Portuguese but in more recent years has included more It is also one of Massachusetts' poorest cities, where over 20 percent of the population falls below the poverty line. At Gabriel House, more than 75 percent of residents were on MassHealth, the state's Medicaid plan. Many in the community have expressed concern that the living home's elderly residents Members of the State Police were on the scene of the Gabriel House fire in Fall River on July 16. Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff Raposo said he'd heard that the fire department was understaffed — a claim made by the firefighters union, and 'I don't know if it would have saved lives,' said fire chief Jeffrey Bacon said Tuesday. 'That's speculation.' Raposo said it would be devastating if those claims were found to be true: 'you gotta pay them,' he said. Related : Chelsea Cote, 33, works down the street from Gabriel House as a cashier at a hot dog restaurant, greeting customers by name as they walk in the door and order onion rings or 'a dog with the works.' She also has a second job caring for senior citizens. Advertisement 'A lot of people around here need help,' she said. 'There are lots of people who are struggling, who don't have families or support or people to care for them.' This part of town, she said, is not exactly idyllic. Kennedy Park, a historic area near Gabriel House designed by Frederick Law Olmsted in the 1860s, is encircled by idling cars and open air drug use. 'There are always going to be drugs,' Cote said. 'But I don't get in trouble anymore... I was able to dig my way out.' Bryan Boyle, a longtime resident of Fall River, said the city has seen better days. 'Fall River is ugly,' he said. 'I don't mean it in a pejorative sense. I mean that it's an old, old city. There's a lot of opioid problems here. There's crime.' Boyle, a staff member at St. Anne's Catholic Shrine, said he stills finds moments of inspiration in his hometown. The day of the fire, as the Gabriel House smoldered just a few blocks away, the church's massive towers were lit up, as they are every night, shining over the neighborhood. 'We don't expect to lose nine souls, nine citizens, regardless of the reason,' said Boyle, 68. 'It's not anything to be happy about... But in the middle of that, there's hope.' The imposing Romanesque church has been mostly vacant for years, but still draws hundreds for its periodic masses and feasts, including several Gabriel House residents, Boyle said. All the worshippers at St. Anne's are believed to have survived, he added. Advertisement Boyle was born at St. Anne's Hospital, just down the road from the living home, and stayed in the building when it was a still a motel in the 1970s. He also carries the memories of another blaze in 1982 that 'I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often,' Boyle said. 'We've had so many mill fires here, so many horrendous fires ... The fact is that the old buildings here are very fragile. The owners really have to protect them.' Related : At the city's Catholic diocese Wednesday, residents in cars and pickup trucks Gino Raposa, of Fall River (center) carried in donations to the chapel at Catholic Charities in Fall River on July 16. Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff 'We have relatives handicapped at home right now being taken care by family,' said Linda Furtado, 47, of Acushnet. 'But if we didn't have family members who could take care of them, they could have very well been in a home like that.' Related : Dube, at the memorial, said that while some people hear about Fall River and think of violence, the community runs deeper. 'It's brought a lot of us together,' she said. 'I know that for a fact.' Krista Cormier, who has lived in Fall River for seven years, also stopped by Gabriel House Wednesday to honor the dead, putting a bouquet of purple and blue flowers outside. She said she heard purple was a 'healing color.' Advertisement 'It's been heavy on my heart all week,' she said. 'I came out to pay respects for the ones who have passed on, but especially family, friends, loved ones too.' Cormier, 46, said she's 'proud' of her community. 'How quickly people came together, not only just spiritually, but I've heard thousands of dollars have already been raised in no time for these folks… even just the outpouring of love and support and whatnot.' 'Fall River is an awesome community,' she added. For now, Boyle said, all the city can do is pray for the victims and help their families. Fall River is resilient, he said, noting that the city has reinvented itself 'so many times.' 'The town will do what it does,' he said. 'It'll recover. It'll be better. People will do what they need to do in order to make it better. Certainly, you mourn the loss. But you don't wear the black armband forever.' Camilo Fonseca can be reached at
Perth Now
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Kesha cancels Texas gig after flooding disaster
Kesha has cancelled a concert in Dallas, Texas after the state was devastated by flash floods. The 38-year-old pop star had been due to perform at the city's Dos Equis Pavilion venue on Tuesday (08.07.25), but she called off the gig with just hours to go amid safety fears after heavy rain on Friday (04.07.25) caused the banks of the Guadalupe River to burst leaving more than 110 people dead with more than 170 still missing. In a statement posted on X and Instagram, Kesha wrote: "I wanted to say thank you for coming out to support an independent artist. "I have been so excited for tonight and to celebrate my freedom and go t*** out with all of you, but due to the weather and what yall here in Texas have been facing, I have to put your safety first. My heart is with you Texas. I'm so sorry that I can't play this show tonight because of the weather and for all of your safety." However, Kesha insisted she plans to reschedule the show for Wednesday night (09.07.25) and hopes to perform as long as it's safe to do so. She added: "I'm going to stay here in your beautiful city and come back here tomorrow and would love to play for all of you tomorrow night. "All of your tickets will be honored and I'm so sorry. Get home safe, let's party tomorrow." Kesha is due to perform another gig in Texas in The Woodlands on Thursday (10.07.25) before she takes her tour to Illinois. Fellow pop star Shakira performed in San Antonio, Texas on Saturday night (05.07.25) as part of her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour and she promised to give a portion of the profits to a charity helping those impacted by the disaster. In a post on X, Shakira wrote: "Dear San Antonio, Our hearts and prayers are with those affected by the flood in Central Texas. "We are donating a portion of tonight's show proceeds to Catholic Charities of San Antonio, who are providing disaster relief to the families impacted. "If you would like to join me in donating, please click on the link below. Your help is important and appreciated." Shakira added a link to fundraising drive operated by the Catholic Charities organisation, which aims to "deliver emergency supplies, including bottled water, blankets, clothing, and hygiene kits to areas impacted by catastrophic flooding".
AsiaOne
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
Shakira donates portion of show proceeds to help victims of deadly Texas floods, Entertainment News
Shakira is donating proceeds from her concert in San Antonio, Texas to help victims of the flash floods which have devastated the state. The pop star, 48, performed at the city's Alamodome venue on Saturday night (July 5) as part of her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour and she promised to give a portion of the profits to a charity helping those impacted by the disaster, which has killed at least 82 people. In a post on X, Shakira wrote: "Dear San Antonio, Our hearts and prayers are with those affected by the flood in Central Texas. "We are donating a portion of tonight's show proceeds to Catholic Charities of San Antonio, who are providing disaster relief to the families impacted. "If you would like to join me in donating, please click on the link below. Your help is important and appreciated." Shakira added a link to fundraising drive operated by the Catholic Charities organisation, which aims to "deliver emergency supplies, including bottled water, blankets, clothing, and hygiene kits to areas impacted by catastrophic flooding". The floods devastated Kerr County on Friday (July 4) after heavy rain caused the banks of the Guadalupe River to burst. The death toll has risen to 82 and 41 people are still listed as missing, including 10 young girls who were attending a Christian summer camp. US President Donald Trump addressed the disaster in a post on his Truth Social platform, writing: "[First Lady] Melania and I are praying for all of the families impacted by this horrible tragedy. "Our Brave First Responders are on site doing what they do best. God bless the families, and God bless Texas!" At least 27 people died when the waters hit Camp Mystic and emergency workers are continuing their search for those who remain missing. Camp officials said in a statement to NBC News: "This tragedy has devastated us and our entire community. Our hearts are broken alongside the families that are enduring this tragedy, and we share their hope and prayers." The camp's director Dick Eastland was among those killed in the floods and his family have since revealed he lost his life attempting to save the young campers. [[nid:719902]]
Daily Mail
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Matthew McConaughey breaks silence on 'shock' and 'pain' of deadly Texas floods
Matthew McConaughey broke his silence on the devastating floods that killed dozens in Texas as he issued a plea to his fans to 'lend a helping hand.' The Oscar winner, 55 — who was born in Uvalde, Texas — took to X on Sunday, writing, 'At least 70 lives have been lost, many more are unaccounted for, and countless Texans are hurting - inside and out.' 'If you're able, please lend a helping hand where and how you can,' the Interstellar actor continued. 'It's gonna be a long road ahead, but right now the shock, the pain, and the chaos need the steady hand of a neighbor.' McConaughey added that 'Texans are some of the most resilient and generous people on the planet.' The actor was one of a number of stars speaking out in the wake of floods in central Texas that killed at least 79 and left 41 missing. Colombian pop superstar Shakira, 48, announced on Saturday that she would be donating proceeds from her San Antonio concert to Catholic Charities of San Antonio. The Grammy-winning singer wrote on X: 'Dear San Antonio, Our hearts and prayers are with those affected by the flood in Central Texas. We are donating a portion of tonight's show proceeds to Catholic Charities of San Antonio, who are providing disaster relief to the families impacted.' 'If you would like to join me in donating, please click on the link below. Your help is important and appreciated,' she added.
Fox News
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Celebrities, corporations open wallets after deadly flood in Texas Hill Country
As authorities and volunteers continue to search for and assist victims of a devastating flood that swept through a portion of Texas, various groups and celebrities have committed donations to charities in the area. On Saturday, Shakira, the Colombian singer-songwriter, announced that she would donate a portion of proceeds from her July 5 concert in San Antonio to support families affected by the Texas Hill Country floods. "Dear San Antonio, Our hearts and prayers are with those affected by the flood in Central Texas," the singer wrote on X. "We are donating a portion of tonight's show proceeds to Catholic Charities of San Antonio, who are providing disaster relief to the families impacted." United Services Automobile Association, better known as USAA, has committed $500,000 in philanthropic grants to help with search and recovery efforts and will activate employee volunteers to serve local communities. "The destruction and loss we are seeing in Texas is heartbreaking, and our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected, especially the families of those who have lost loved ones and those who are still waiting to hear news," USAA president and CEO Juan Andrade said in a statement. "We have been part of this community for more than 100 years and we will show up with action, compassion and a willingness to help our neighbors and our members recover and rebuild. We are grateful to first responders for their ongoing and tireless efforts." USAA, which provides banking services exclusively to members of the military, veterans and their families, is based out of San Antonio. The NFL's Houston Texans have also pledged $500,000 to help with efforts related to the flood. "We are heartbroken by the loss and damage that our neighbors in the Texas Hill Country have endured. We are especially devastated to hear about the children who are still missing and we are praying they are reunited with their families soon," a statement from Janice, Hannah and Cal McNair, the principal owner of the franchise, said in a statement. "Our hearts will remain with everyone affected, and in addition to our donation, we will continue to support the search, rescue and recovery efforts in the coming weeks." Texas Search and Rescue, a non-profit first responder group, is providing search, rescue, and recovery operations in Kerr County, which was significantly impacted by flooding. The Salvation Army in Kerrville, Texas, is taking limited donations and has been designated as the Official Partner for Volunteer Coordination and In-Kind Donations. The Community Foundation, a nonprofit group in the area, launched the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund. All donations will go to the organizations helping with the emergency. As of Saturday evening, at least 43 people have died and more than 27 young girls from Camp Mystic remain missing as search and rescue operations continue.
