Nine dead, dozens injured after fire sweeps through Massachusetts assisted living facility

Nine people have died and at least 30 were injured in a fire that broke out at the Gabriel House assisted living facility in Fall River, Mass.

About 50 firefighters responded to the assisted living facility at about 9:50 p.m. Sunday and encountered heavy smoke and flames at the front of the building, with occupants trapped inside, according to the state Department of Fire Services, according to the Associated Press. The facility has about 70 residents.

The fire was out by Monday morning, and firefighters were able to get inside the building and rescue several people. Many of those rescued were taken to nearby hospitals in varying conditions. Five firefighters suffered non-life-threatening injuries, authorites said.

“This is an unfathomable tragedy for the families involved and the Fall River community,” Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon said.

He told reporters that “multiple people were hanging out the windows looking to be rescued.”

Police were trying to break windows, according to family members of residents.

State and local authorities said that the origin of the fire is under investigation.