Gabriel House Fire in Fall River Kills 10, Injures 30

The Gabriel House Assisted Living Facility fire in Fall River, Massachusetts, on July 13 resulted in ten deaths, with the final victim identified as 70-year-old Halina Lawler. The fire is one of the deadliest in Massachusetts in decades, and investigations continue into its cause, including the possibility of smoking near an oxygen tank and concerns about the sprinkler system's functionality despite recent testing. Brenda Cropper, 66, was initially reported deceased earlier than confirmed due to a miscommunication but later died after being taken off life support, bringing the death toll to ten. The Bristol County District Attorney's Office, along with state and local authorities, is actively investigating the incident, and community support efforts for survivors and victims' families are ongoing. Ownership of Gabriel House has expressed deep grief and pledged cooperation with investigators, emphasizing the building's history of inspections and recent sprinkler system tests. State officials plan to implement measures to improve fire safety across assisted living facilities statewide.