Final victim identified in fire at Massachusetts assistedliving facility Emily Scherny and Dan Medeiros, USA TODAY NETWORK July 22, 2025 at 1:20 AM FALL RIVER, MA — The final victim in a fire that tore through an assisted living facility in Massachusetts, killing 10 people and injuring dozens more, ...
- - - Final victim identified in fire at Massachusetts assisted-living facility
Emily Scherny and Dan Medeiros, USA TODAY NETWORK July 22, 2025 at 1:20 AM
FALL RIVER, MA — The final victim in a fire that tore through an assisted living facility in Massachusetts, killing 10 people and injuring dozens more, was publicly identified on the evening of July 21.
The Bristol County District Attorney's Office identified the victim as Halina Lawler, 70. Lawler's identity was initially withheld due to a pending next-of-kin notification.
The fire erupted on the evening of July 13 at the Gabriel House assisted living facility in Fall River, about 50 miles south of Boston. The flames trapped residents inside the 100-unit facility, forcing first responders to kick down doors and pull screaming people out through windows.
The facility, which opened in 1999, housed about 70 people at the time of the incident. Multiple people were declared dead at the scene, and over 30 people were transported to hospitals with injuries, including five firefighters with minor injuries, authorities previously said.
The other Gabriel House residents who were killed in the fire were identified as Rui Albernaz, 64; Ronald Codega, 61; Brenda Cropper, 66; Margaret Duddy, 69; Robert King, 78; Kim Mackin, 71; Richard Rochon, 78; Joseph Wilansky, 77; and Eleanor Willett, 86.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The fire does not appear suspicious, but investigators haven't narrowed down the potential factors to a single cause, Massachusetts Department of Fire Services spokesperson Jake Wark previously said.
Massachusetts fire: Death toll from fire at senior living facility in Fall River increases
'Our hearts are broken for the victims and their families'
As authorities investigate the cause of the blaze, the operators of Gabriel House released their first statement on the incident, calling it heartbreaking. The statement, issued by Regan Communications Group of Boston, was shared on behalf of Gabriel Care Inc. on July 21.
"There are no words to adequately convey the depths of our grief and shock over the devastating events of July 13 at the Gabriel House. Indeed, to call what occurred that night a tragedy is an understatement," the statement reads. "Our hearts are broken for the victims and their families; their losses will never be forgotten."
"The Gabriel House has been a fixture in the community for decades, and our staff – half of whom have been with us for 10 years or more – is deeply dedicated to improving the lives of our residents every day," the statement continued, adding that temporary housing has been provided to residents who were displaced by the fire.
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The statement noted that the facility has been cooperating with state and local fire investigators, and has provided authorities with "all records related to the building's safety," including documents of regular testing of the sprinkler system.
The operators defended their safety and inspection record, saying that there were quarterly inspections of the fire suppression system, with the latest inspection conducted just five days before the fire. The operators said in the statement that authorities took several sprinkler heads from the facility for further investigation.
"We will continue to provide investigators with whatever assistance they need. We, like them, realize the importance of knowing exactly what caused this catastrophe, and if there were factors that made it worse," according to the statement. "Our community, our residents, and most of all, the families who have suffered these unimaginable losses, deserve nothing less. We deeply value our standing in the Fall River community and will continue to strive every day to be a responsible, compassionate, and caring neighbor."
Contributing: Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Fall River blaze: Victim identified in fire at Massachusetts facility
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