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CNN
an hour ago
- Health
- CNN
Smoking or oxygen machine issue may have caused deadly fire at Massachusetts assisted-living home
Drugs in societyFacebookTweetLink Follow The cause of a fire at a Massachusetts assisted-living facility that left 10 people dead remains undetermined for now as officials investigate whether smoking materials and an issue with a medical oxygen machine may have been factors, officials said Tuesday. The state's deadliest blaze in more than four decades has highlighted the lack of regulations governing assisted-living facilities that often care for low-income or disabled residents. The state fire marshal, Jon Davine, said the presence of medical oxygen contributed to the spread of the July 13 fire at Gabriel House in Fall River. The blaze left some residents of hanging out windows of the three-story building screaming for help. The fire in the blue-collar city in southern Massachusetts remains under investigation but authorities believe it happened unintentionally, Davine said at a news conference Tuesday. 'Please, there's truly no safe way to smoke. But smoking is especially dangerous when home oxygen is in use,' he said. Members of the local firefighter's union have said a lack of emergency personnel staffing in the city made responding to the blaze more difficult, and made the fire itself deadlier. Earlier Tuesday, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said the state was releasing $1.2 million for Fall River to hire more emergency response personnel. She also said additional funds will be expedited for the state's municipal public safety staffing program. 'We are here today to listen to make sure that we understand what this community needs now and moving forward in the wake of this tragedy,' Healey said. Healey said last week that a state agency that ensures regulatory compliance at assisted-living residences will investigate all 273 such facilities in Massachusetts to make sure they are prepared to protect residents during emergencies. She said Tuesday that work has begun. The district attorney's office identified the 10th victim as Halina Lawler, 70, on Monday. The victims of the fire ranged in age from 61 to 86. A resident of Gabriel House filed a lawsuit Monday alleging the facility was not properly managed, staffed or maintained, that residency rules were not enforced 'and emergency response procedures were not put in place.' Trapped in his room during the fire, Steven Oldrid was in an 'already compromised physical condition' when he suffered smoke inhalation and lost consciousness, according to the complaint filed in Bristol County Superior Court. As a result, Oldrid says he has increased mobility restrictions and has racked up medical bills for treatment. George K. Regan Jr., a spokesperson for the facility owned by Dennis Etzkorn, did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment on the lawsuit. A phone message was also left with Oldrid's attorney. Public injury law firm Morgan & Morgan also said last week it was hired to investigate the fire by the family of one of the residents killed at Gabriel House. Morgan & Morgan Communications Manager Emily Walsh said the law firm had already begun looking into whether the facility was adequately staffed and provided proper training to staff, as well as any potential code violations and possible failures of fire safety equipment. Etzkorn has said he is cooperating with investigations into the fire. Gabriel House issued a statement Monday emphasizing the importance of finding out 'exactly what caused this catastrophe, and if there were factors that made it worse.' The statement said the facility placed a premium on residents' safety. 'Maintaining compliance with all safety and building codes has always been our priority, and there were quarterly inspections of the fire suppression system – the latest as recently as five days prior to the fire,' said the facility's spokesperson.
New York Times
2 hours ago
- Health
- New York Times
Oxygen Machine Played Role in Fire That Killed 10 in Massachusetts, Officials Say
A fire that killed 10 people at an assisted living center in Fall River, Mass., this month began in a resident's second-floor room, where investigators found an oxygen machine and 'smoking materials,' officials said Tuesday. The presence of medical oxygen 'played a significant role' in the rapid start and spread of the fire on July 13 at the facility, Gabriel House, Jon Davine, the Massachusetts state fire marshal, said at a news conference. 'Smoking is especially dangerous when home oxygen is in use,' Mr. Davine said. 'No one should smoke around medical oxygen.' Officials said the fire was accidental. Thomas M. Quinn III, the district attorney for Bristol County, said that a preliminary examination of the scene and initial interviews, as well as additional evidence gathered in the last week, show that 'the fire did not appear to be set intentionally.' Investigators determined the fire began in a resident's room on the left side of the facility's second floor, Mr. Davine said. There were no signs that the fire was caused by cooking, lighting, heating, electrical outlets or appliances in the room, or by candles or incense, he said. But investigators found an oxygen concentrator — a medical device that filters oxygen from the air — and 'numerous smoking materials,' in the room, Mr. Davine said. An electrical or mechanical failure involving the oxygen concentrator, or the improper use or disposal of smoking materials, were identified as the two possible causes of the fire, Mr. Davine said. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
After deadly fire, Massachusetts city will get over $1 million to boost emergency staffing
FALL RIVER, Mass. (AP) — Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said Tuesday the state would provide money to improve public safety staffing for the city of Fall River in the wake of last week's fire at an assisted-living facility that killed 10 people. The July 13 fire at Gabriel House was the state's deadliest fire in more than four decades. The blaze left some residents of hanging out windows of the three-story building screaming for help. Members of the local firefighter's union said lack of emergency personnel staffing in the city made responding to the blaze more difficult, and made the fire itself deadlier. The fire in the blue-collar city in southern Massachusetts remains under investigation, but it has highlighted the lack of regulations governing assisted-living facilities that often care for low-income or disabled residents. Following a meeting with city officials, Healey said the state was releasing $1.2 million for Fall River to hire more emergency response personnel. She also said additional funds will be expedited for the state's municipal public safety staffing program. 'We are here today to listen to make sure that we understand what this community needs now and moving forward in the wake of this tragedy,' Healey said. Healey said last week that a state agency that ensures regulatory compliance at assisted-living residences will investigate all 273 such facilities in Massachusetts to make sure they are prepared to protect residents during emergencies. She said Tuesday that work has begun. Later Tuesday, the Bristol County district attorney's office is expected to hold a news conference to provide an update on the investigation. Although the cause of the fire remains unknown, authorities have said it does not appear to be suspicious. The district attorney's office identified the 10th victim as Halina Lawler, 70, on Monday. The victims of the fire ranged in age from 61 to 86. A resident of Gabriel House filed a lawsuit Monday alleging the facility was not properly managed, staffed or maintained, that residency rules were not enforced 'and emergency response procedures were not put in place.' Trapped in his room during the fire, Steven Oldrid was in an 'already compromised physical condition' when he suffered smoke inhalation and lost consciousness, according to the complaint filed in Bristol County Superior Court. As a result, Oldrid says he has increased mobility restrictions and has racked up medical bills for treatment. George K. Regan Jr., a spokesperson for the facility owned by Dennis Etzkorn, did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment on the lawsuit. A phone message was also left with Oldrid's attorney. Public injury law firm Morgan & Morgan also said last week it was hired to investigate the fire by the family of one of the residents killed at Gabriel House. Morgan & Morgan Communications Manager Emily Walsh said the law firm had already begun looking into whether the facility was adequately staffed and provided proper training to staff, as well as any potential code violations and possible failures of fire safety equipment. Etzkorn has said he is cooperating with investigations into the fire. Gabriel House issued a statement Monday emphasizing the importance of finding out 'exactly what caused this catastrophe, and if there were factors that made it worse.' The statement said the facility placed a premium on residents' safety. 'Maintaining compliance with all safety and building codes has always been our priority, and there were quarterly inspections of the fire suppression system – the latest as recently as five days prior to the fire,' said the facility's spokesperson. ___ Whittle reported from Portland, Maine. Associated Press writer Leah Willingham in Boston contributed.
Washington Post
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
After deadly fire, Massachusetts city will get over $1 million to boost emergency staffing
FALL RIVER, Mass. — Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said Tuesday the state would provide money to improve public safety staffing for the city of Fall River in the wake of last week's fire at an assisted-living facility that killed 10 people. The July 13 fire at Gabriel House was the state's deadliest fire in more than four decades. The blaze left some residents of hanging out windows of the three-story building screaming for help. Members of the local firefighter's union said lack of emergency personnel staffing in the city made responding to the blaze more difficult, and made the fire itself deadlier.
The Independent
9 hours ago
- The Independent
Massachusetts governor will give an update on assisted-living fire that killed 10
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey is slated to meet with city officials and update the public Tuesday about the response to a fire at an assisted-living facility in Fall River that killed 10 people. The July 13 fire at Gabriel House in the city about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Boston remains under investigation. The blaze left some residents hanging out windows of the three-story facility screaming for help. The fire highlighted the lack of regulations governing assisted-living facilities that often care for low-income or disabled residents. Later Tuesday, the Bristol County district attorney's office is expected to hold a news conference to provide an update on the investigation. Although the cause of the fire remains unknown, authorities have said it does not appear to be suspicious. The district attorney's office identified the 10th victim as Halina Lawler, 70, on Monday. The victims of the fire ranged in age from 61 to 86. Healey said in a statement last week that a state agency tasked with ensuring assisted living residences are in compliance with regulations will investigate to make sure all 273 such facilities in Massachusetts are 'prepared to protect residents during emergencies.' She said in the statement that the fire was 'a horrible tragedy' and a chance to improve safety. 'This is a moment to make sure that every Assisted Living Residence is prepared to respond to emergencies and to protect the safety of their residents," Healey said. Gabriel House is owned by Dennis Etzkorn, who has said he is cooperating with investigations into the blaze. The facility issued a statement on Monday that said it's important to determine 'exactly what caused this catastrophe, and if there were factors that made it worse.' The statement also said the facility has always placed a premium on residents' safety. 'Maintaining compliance with all safety and building codes has always been our priority, and there were quarterly inspections of the fire suppression system – the latest as recently as five days prior to the fire,' said George K. Regan Jr., a spokesperson for the facility. ___
