Nine people were killed Sunday night after a fire broke out in an assisted living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts.
The fire erupted around 9:50 p.m., where first responders observed “heavy smoke and flames at the front of the building with occupants trapped inside,” according to a press release by the state government. The fire grew to five alarms, drawing around 50 firefighters to the scene, including about 30 who were off-duty.
At least 30 others were hospitalized, along with five firefighters, the release states. The firefighters were treated for non-life-threatening injuries, while one of the injured occupants remains in critical condition.
“They showed up to the scene, obviously fire, smoke and victims screaming for rescue out windows and it makes for a chaotic scene,” Jeffrey Bacon, the Fall River Fire Chief, told reporters at a press conference on Monday. (RELATED: Fire Destroys 160-Year-Old Massachusetts Church)
Fall River Mayor Paul Coogen stated that some of the victims’ bodies were inside the facility on Monday morning, but that medical examiners were at the scene, according to WJAR.
Democratic Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey also released a statement on X expressing her condolences to the city and offering full assistance.
“My heart goes out to those who are waking up to the most horrific news imaginable about their loved ones this morning,” Healey’s statement read in part. “I’m grateful to the firefighters and first responders whose heroic efforts saved lives.”
The damage was limited to only one wing of the facility, but smoke damage is present throughout the building, according to WCVB. Approximately 70 people lived in the facility when the fire erupted.
An investigation into the cause of the fire remains ongoing, according to the release.
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