After deadly fire, Massachusetts city will get over $1 million to boost emergency staffing

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey says the state will provide money to improve public safety staffing in Fall River, the after meeting with city officials about the response to a fire at an assisted-living facility that killed 10 people

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 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.

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Whittle reported from Portland, Maine. Associated Press writer Leah Willingham in Boston contributed.