Victims identified in deadly assisted living home fire in Fall River, Massachusetts
UPDATE July 17: A tenth victim, 66-year-old Brenda Cropper died in the hospital Wednesday.
UPDATE July 16: Investigators identified one of the deceased as 77-year-old Joseph Wilansky
The names of seven of the nine victims who died in a fire at an assisted living home in Fall River, Massachusetts, were released by the Bristol County District Attorney Monday afternoon.
The fire at The Gabriel House began around 9:30 p.m. on Sunday. About 70 residents were in the building at the time, according to the state fire marshal. Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon said that several residents were hanging outside of windows waiting to be rescued when they arrived. He added that air conditioner units in windows made rescues more difficult.
The flames and smoke sent more than 30 residents to nearby hospitals. One of the victims remains in critical condition.
The names of the deceased are:
- 61-year-old Ronald Codega
- 64-year-old Rui Albernaz
- 69-year-old Margaret Duddy
- 71-year-old Kim Mackin
- 78-year-old Richard Rochon
- 86-year-old Eleanor Willett
Two of the victims, a 70-year-old woman and a 77-year-old man, have not been identified as police wait to inform their families.
"My heart goes out to all of the victims, their families and all of those impacted by this terrible tragedy," District Attorney Tom Quinn said. "I would like to commend the first responders for their efforts in bringing many of the residents to safety while being confronted with very difficult circumstances."
Eleanor Willett's grandson provided a photo of her to WBZ-TV. Her son, David Dixon, said that he is still trying to process what happened.
"I'm alright right now. I don't know what it's going to be like later, like maybe when it all sinks in," Dixon said. He added that his mother was very religious and got along with people very well.
Richard Rochon's niece, Breonna Cestodio, said that his death has devastated her mother and the rest of the family.
"I had my breakdown, but right now I am just trying to be strong for her because that was her brother," Cestodio said.
The cause of the fire is still unknown. Family members of the victims can get more information at the chapel of St. Annie's Hospital or by calling 508-674-5741.
Survivors of the Fall River fire
Bacon said that they saved at least a dozen people with ladders and that the police, EMS and fire department were able to "enact dozens of rescues to save multiple lives."
Governor Maura Healey arrived at the facility on Monday afternoon to speak with survivors of the fire.
"A lot of them are immobile, you know. They're in wheelchairs or they have walkers. They can't easily move and they were disoriented," Healey said.
One resident who survived the fire said that he thought it was going to be "the end of everything."
"I went to my room door, I opened it, all the smoke from the hall went right in my face and all I could do was stand there and choke," Albert Almanza said.
A temporary shelter for residents has been set up at Timao Center on Bay Street.
Fall River assisted living home fire
Bacon said that while the fire damage was contained to one wing of the building, the smoke damage had spread throughout.
"I think the lesson that can be learned here is that listen to your smoke detectors and react because smoke is a very deadly force," he said.
He added that he did not know if The Gabriel House's fire alarms were working at the time, but Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan said that the building did have sprinklers.
The Gabriel House has 100 single-bed units and opened in 1999, according to and Their last inspection by the Fall River Building Department was October 15, 2024.
