Multiple dead, injured after fire in Massachusetts senior living facility

A fire broke out in an assisted living center in Massachusetts, leaving at least nine dead and 30 injured, according to Reuters.

“This is an unfathomable tragedy for the families involved and the Fall River community,” said Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon in a statement. “On behalf of the Fall River Fire Department, I want to express our heartfelt condolences to the loved ones who are grieving this morning.”

The fire took place on Sunday, July 13, at Gabriel House Assisted Living Facility in Fall River, Massachusetts, which is around 50 miles south of Boston, where around 70 people resided before the fire, according to Massachusetts fire department spokesperson Jake Wark.

Firefighters responded to the scene at 9:50 p.m. local time and immediately began rescuing people inside the building while suppressing the fire, according to a press release published by the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services Monday morning.

Approximately 50 firefighters, including 30 who were off-duty, responded to the incident.

USA TODAY has contacted the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services for more information.

The Fall River Fire Department, Fall River Police, and State Police are investigating the cause of the fire.

Firefighters rescued numerous occupants, but multiple residents were declared dead at the scene, while many others were transported to hospitals, including five firefighters who had non-life-threatening injuries, he added.

In a news conference on July 14, Bacon said one of the people transported is in critical condition. Five Fall River firefighters were also taken to area hospitals with minor injuries.