Fall River firefighters demand safer fire codes after deadly facility fire

Nearly a year after a fire killed 10 residents at the Gabriel House assisted living facility in Fall River, firefighters are pushing hard to change the fire safety codes that failed to protect them.

The blaze tore through the building, injuring dozens more. Now the firefighters who responded say the rules on the books weren’t enough to prevent the disaster — and they want Massachusetts to fix that.

They’re demanding stricter fire safety standards for assisted living facilities, pointing to gaps in current regulations that left the Gabriel House vulnerable. The specifics of what changes they’re seeking center on better sprinkler systems, clearer evacuation routes, and stricter inspection protocols for facilities housing elderly and vulnerable residents.

The push comes as Fall River and the wider South Shore community continue processing the loss. For the firefighters involved in the response, the effort to change the codes is personal.

Based on reporting from WPRI.