Update in the Fall River Assisted Living Facility Fire

Investigators Say Smoking and Oxygen May Have Sparked Fall River Assisted Living Facility Fire That Killed 10 Residents

New Lawsuit Highlights Safety Failures at Gabriel House as State Launches Fire Safety Review

A few days ago, we at KBD Attorneys wrote about the horrifying fire that tore through Gabriel House, an assisted living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts. The tragedy claimed the lives of ten residents and sent over thirty more to hospitals. In our original coverage, we highlighted early details about the fire’s deadly scope, growing concerns over possible nursing home neglect, and the emotional toll on families and first responders.

Today, we return with deeply troubling updates. According to new information released by investigators and public officials, the fire may have been caused by a deadly combination of smoking materials and medical oxygen, both found in the second-floor room where the blaze began. As the story unfolds, evidence of serious safety lapses, staff shortages, and facility mismanagement continues to emerge — and legal action has already begun.

KBD Attorneys extends our deepest sympathies to the victims, survivors, and their families. No one should ever have to experience such terror in a facility meant to provide care and safety. Sadly, this disaster reflects an ongoing crisis in elder care — one that includes nursing home abuse, neglect, and inadequate emergency planning.

What We Now Know About the Cause of the Fire

According to the Boston Globe (July 22, 2025), investigators discovered numerous smoking materials and a medical oxygen concentrator in the room where the fire began. These devices are commonly prescribed for individuals with breathing conditions, but when exposed to embers or flames, they drastically increase the speed and intensity of fires.

Officials believe either improperly discarded smoking materials or a malfunction in the oxygen device may have sparked the blaze, but they may never know for certain. Tragically, the resident of the room — one of the ten victims — is unable to provide any information. Investigators ruled out other causes like faulty outlets, candles, and cooking appliances.

State Fire Marshal Jon Davine stated that medical oxygen had previously contributed to at least 20 fire deaths in Massachusetts over the past decade. He emphasized the lethal risks of smoking near oxygen, saying, “No one should smoke around medical oxygen.”

A System That Failed Its Residents

The fire quickly overwhelmed the building’s three floors, creating an “oxygen-rich environment” that accelerated the flames. As some residents clung to windows, firefighters and civilians rushed in to save who they could.

But the speed of the fire — and the lack of effective emergency planning — proved devastating. Steven Oldrid, a resident who survived but suffered serious injuries, has now filed a lawsuit claiming mismanagement, inadequate staffing, and failure to implement evacuation procedures at Gabriel House. According to the complaint, Oldrid lost consciousness during the fire, later awakening with worsened mobility issues and mounting medical bills.

Gabriel House, operated by Dennis Etzkorn, now faces growing scrutiny. The facility’s spokesperson said sprinkler systems had been inspected just five days before the fire, but investigators are testing the sprinkler heads for possible defects. Some reports have suggested the sprinkler system may not have performed as expected.

Understaffing May Have Made the Fire Worse

As is common in elder care tragedies, understaffing is once again being named as a contributing factor. Members of the local firefighter’s union said that inadequate staffing in both the facility and emergency services made the fire more difficult to contain and more deadly.

A Statewide Wake-Up Call

This was Massachusetts’ deadliest fire in over 40 years, and its impact has already spurred a state-level response. Governor Maura Healey, speaking outside Fall River City Hall, announced $1.2 million in funding to help the city hire more emergency personnel. Additional funds will be fast-tracked to boost staffing in other municipalities as well.

Healey also revealed a statewide month-long investigation into the safety of all 273 assisted-living facilities in Massachusetts. This review will look at fire preparedness, building safety systems, and emergency response plans. The governor’s message was clear: “No family, no resident, no community should ever have to suffer or live with fear that something like this could happen to them.”

At KBD we regularly update our nursing home pages with facilities in Massachusetts and across the United States that may have problems including understaffing, a pattern of neglect, etc.

Lives Lost, Families Shattered

The victims ranged in age from 61 to 86. Memorials now surround the fence at the charred remains of Gabriel House. Photos, crosses, and flowers bear messages like “Rest in Peace Uncle Bob” and “Fall River Strong.”

One man, Cleber Parra, a nearby resident, acted heroically during the fire. After hearing cries for help, he ran to the building with a ladder, helping a trapped resident escape through a second-floor window with the help of a firefighter. His selfless actions — along with those of the brave firefighters — saved lives that night.

KBD Attorneys: Calling for Accountability in the Wake of Neglect

At KBD Attorneys, we fight for the rights of vulnerable seniors and their families. Stories like the one unfolding at Gabriel House are tragic — but they are also infuriating, because they are often preventable.

When facilities fail to enforce safety policies, cut corners on staffing, or neglect emergency protocols, they place lives at risk. That is the very definition of nursing home abuse and neglect. Whether the harm comes from a fall, a bedsore, or a catastrophic fire, the law demands accountability.

We commend the families and survivors who are stepping forward to seek justice. Filing a lawsuit is never easy, especially in a time of grief — but it’s how change begins. It’s how better regulations, better safety standards, and stronger enforcement are put in place to protect others.

If you or someone you love has been injured or lost due to nursing home neglect or abuse, KBD Attorneys is here to help. Our team has experience holding negligent long-term care facilities accountable, and we are committed to fighting for safer, more compassionate care environments for all.

Contact us today for a free consultation if you suspect that a loved one was harmed by a nursing home, assisted living center, or long-term care facility. This kind of tragedy must never happen again — and together, we can make sure it doesn’t.

Sources:

• Travis Andersen & Jonathan Saltzman, The Boston Globe, July 22, 2025: Read Article

• Associated Press via My Journal Courier, July 22, 2025: Read Article