Latest news with #DepartmentofFireServices
Global News
14-07-2025
- General
- Global News
Fire leaves 9 dead at Massachusetts assisted living facility
A fire tore through an assisted living facility in Massachusetts, killing nine people and trapping residents inside, including some who were hanging out of windows screaming for help, authorities said Monday. At least 30 others were injured in the blaze. Firefighters responded to the Gabriel House assisted living facility in Fall River at about 9:50 p.m. Eastern time Sunday and were met with heavy smoke and flames at the front of the building, the state Department of Fire Services said in a news release. About 70 people live in the house. The fire was out by Monday morning and firefighters were able to get inside and rescue numerous occupants. About 50 firefighters responded, including 30 who were off-duty. Many of those rescued were taken to local and regional hospitals in varying conditions. Jarren Oldrid described the scene as 'pretty terrifying' as he tried to figure out if his 67-year-old father, Steven Oldrid, was safe. He found him recovering from smoke inhalation at a hospital. Story continues below advertisement 'It's kind of just a whirlwind of trying to figure out what's happening, how this could happen in such a major way,' he said. Five firefighters suffered injuries that were not life-threatening, a statement said. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'This is an unfathomable tragedy for the families involved and the Fall River community,' said Chief Jeffrey Bacon. View image in full screen This image taken from video provided by WLNE-TV shows damage from a fire at an assisted living facility in Fall River, Mass., Sunday, July 13, 2025. WLNE-TV via AP He told reporters 'multiple people were hanging out the windows looking to be rescued.' Family members who showed up said police were trying to break windows. Joe Alves, who lives several houses down from the facility, said he was watching TV when he heard the wave of sirens and fire crews responding to the fire. He said he saw officials pulling bodies and injured pets out of the building, with some pouring water bottles on burns as they desperately tried to help those in need. Story continues below advertisement 'There were people in wheelchairs, a lot of people missing limbs, it was terrible,' he said, choking up slightly. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said she has expressed condolences and offered state assistance to the city's mayor and a full investigation is underway. 'The fire at Gabriel House in Fall River is a tragedy. My heart goes out to those who are waking up to the most horrific news imaginable about their loved ones this morning,' Healey said in a statement. ' I'm grateful to the firefighters and first responders whose heroic efforts saved lives.' The Fall River Police Department in a statement said that 'without hesitation, officers entered the smoke-filled facility, breaking down doors and escorting residents to safety. 'Approximately a dozen non-ambulatory residents were physically carried out by our officers. Their bravery and quick action undoubtedly saved many lives.' The origin and cause of the fire are under investigation, state and local authorities said. Gabriel House opened in 1999 and has 100 units, according to Massachusetts Executive Office of Aging & Independence. An email was sent to an office spokesperson Monday morning seeking comment on the home's inspection records. Email and phone messages also were left at Gabriel House. A worker at the scene declined to comment to an Associated Press reporter. Story continues below advertisement Fall River, which has about 94,000 people, is about 20 miles (32 kilometres) southeast of Providence, Rhode Island. —Associated Press writer Kathy McCormack in Concord, New Hampshire, contributed to this report.
Wall Street Journal
14-07-2025
- Wall Street Journal
Fire at Massachusetts Assisted Living Facility Kills at Least Nine People
At least nine people were killed after a fire tore through an assisted living facility in Massachusetts. Around 50 firefighters, including dozens who were off-duty, rushed to Gabriel House in downtown Fall River just before 10 p.m. local time Sunday, a spokesman for the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services said.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Yahoo
Cause of Westfield fatal fire determined
WESTFIELD — A fatal apartment fire on Franklin Street last week was likely caused by smoking. Investigators believe, based on an examination of the scene, witness interviews, and other evidence, the fire was accidental and most likely started with smoking materials on a living room couch, said Jake Wark, spokesperson for the state Department of Fire Services. Just after 10:30 p.m. June 12, the Westfield Fire and Police departments responded to 911 calls from 36 Franklin St. The arriving engine company observed fire showing from a first-floor apartment, with witnesses reporting one person trapped inside. Firefighters battled heavy smoke and flames, and later located the resident, a woman with limited mobility, dead inside the building. Smoking materials were the leading cause of fire deaths in Massachusetts last year and almost every year for decades, Wark said in an emailed response to questions. 'There's no truly safe way to smoke, but it's especially dangerous to smoke when you're drowsy or impaired,' Wark said. 'If you or someone you love must smoke, please use a heavy ashtray on a sturdy surface. Fill it with water or sand, and be sure to put it out, all the way, every time.' Supreme Judicial Court upholds 2018 murder conviction in Latin King case Trustees reopen William Cullen Bryant Homestead in Cummington for tours Markey wants answers from Verizon over lead in old phone lines Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Chicopee woman charged with arson following Belcher Street fire
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – A Chicopee woman was arrested and charged in connection with a three-alarm fire that left a dozen residents without a home on Sunday. Department of Fire Services Public Information Officer Jake Wark stated in a news release that Chicopee fire crews responded to 26 Belcher Street after 3:30 a.m. on Sunday for reports of a structure fire. Firefighters found the three-story, multi-family home in flames. Residents of ten units without home following Chicopee fire Chicopee crews were able to assist in evacuating all residents, as well as rescuing two pets Sunday morning. A third pet was rescued from the building on Monday after neighbors noticed it in a third-floor window. Firefighters worked to put out the fire for over two hours, with the building sustaining severe fire, smoke, and water damage as a result. State and local fire officials began investigating the cause of the fire and determined that it had begun in a second-floor bathroom. Investigators found through evidence and witness interviews that the fire had been intentionally set. Chicopee and state police officers identified 40-year-old Michelle Hall of Chicopee as a suspect connected to the fire. Hall had allegedly been involved in an altercation at the building before the fire took place. She was arrested Sunday evening and charged with arson. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Here's where to see fireworks this weekend in Massachusetts
The Fourth of July is still more than a month away. But Massachusetts residents don't need to wait to see fireworks displays. Though fireworks are banned in Massachusetts without proper certification, official events are scheduled across the state throughout the summer, including two this weekend. On Friday, a fireworks show is scheduled at Fitton Football Stadium in Worcester, following a Worcester Bravehearts baseball game. On Saturday, a fireworks display is planned at 10 p.m. at Dighton Town Hall, according to a list of sanctioned summer fireworks shows published by the state Department of Fire Services. For the full list of summer firework displays, click here. Read more: What happens if you set off fireworks in Mass.? You could be paying for the damages Authorities have urged members of the public to leave fireworks shows to the professionals. Between 2019 and 2023, officials said Massachusetts medical facilities treated more than 200 people for burns and other injuries associated with fireworks. Two dozen people were treated for severe burn injuries that covered 5% or more of their bodies. Karen Read retrial: Biggest takeaways from week 6 as prosecution rests its case No joke: A white pigeon walked into a Mass. fire dept., setting off a hunt for its owner Downtown Boston zoning changes could allow buildings up to 700 feet tall Man convicted of attempted kidnapping and rape on Massachusetts rail trail New poll shows who Dems want in 2028 — and it's not Kamala Harris Read the original article on MassLive.
