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Investigators narrow down cause of Fall River fire to 2 potential sources
The deadly blaze was either started by a malfunctioning oxygen concentrator or smoking materials in a resident's room, authorities said.
The fire at an assisted living facility in Fall River that killed 10 people last week was likely caused by one of two potential sources: an oxygen concentrator or smoking materials in a resident’s room, officials announced Tuesday.
The July 13 fire began in a room located on the left side of the second floor of the building, State Fire Marshal Jon Davine said. Investigators found no evidence that indicated the fire was set intentionally. They ruled out various possible sources of the fire: cooking, lighting, heating, electrical outlets, appliances, and candles. The damaged remains of a battery-powered scooter were located in the aftermath of the fire, but investigators believe that the scooter was damaged in the fire and was not the reason the blaze began.
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An oxygen concentrator and numerous smoking materials were found in the room where the fire started. The resident who lived in that room was one of the victims of the fire, making it more difficult for officials to learn more about how the fire started, Davine said.
It was caused either by an “electrical or mechanical failure” involving the oxygen concentrator or by the “improper use or disposal” of smoking materials, he said. In keeping with guidelines surrounding investigations like this one, investigators officially classified the fire as “undetermined, with two possible ignition sources.”
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Both of the potential sources were “clearly accidental,” Davine emphasized.
Oxygen concentrators are medical devices that continuously purify air to help people that rely on oxygen therapy.
Davine said that the presence of medical oxygen “played a significant role in the fire’s rapid spread and the ensuing tragedy.” Medical oxygen was present in other rooms as well, helping the flames spread, Davine said.
“Smoking is especially dangerous when home oxygen is in use. No one should smoke around medical oxygen,” he said.
Although investigators will continue looking into the matter, Davine conceded that they may never be able to pinpoint one exact source.
Officials did not specify which victim’s room the fire began in. All 10 victims have been publicly identified, with authorities naming the final victim earlier this week. The victims ranged in age from 61 to 86.
The news came at a press conference convened by Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn. He was joined by Davine and Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon. All three emphasized that the investigation was active and ongoing. They declined to answer questions about the building’s sprinkler system, the conditions inside the building, and whether or not staff correctly followed safety procedures, citing the ongoing investigation.
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A spokesperson for Gabriel House said Monday that the building’s sprinkler system had been inspected on July 8, just a few days before the fire, and that no issues were found. Investigators have taken several sprinkler heads to examine them further. Some residents who survived have said that they did not see or feel sprinklers working in some parts of the building.
Current and former employees have also alleged that the facility was understaffed, poorly maintained, and did not conduct regular fire drills.
Autopsies of the victims are in the process of being completed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Earlier Tuesday, Gov. Maura Healey announced that the state would send $1.2 million to Fall River so that the city can hire more emergency response personnel.
This was the deadliest fire in Massachusetts in more than 40 years. Officials have praised the efforts of firefighters and police officers who responded to the scene and prevented more lives from being lost. Body camera footage released last week shows some of these efforts.
Gabriel House was home to about 70 people, and Bacon said last week that the fire was “destined” to kill at least 50 people without the heroic efforts of first responders.
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“The Gabriel house victims, the survivors and their families, have not left our thoughts for a single minute since last Sunday night. I can’t imagine the loss they suffered, or the pain they feel,” Bacon said Tuesday. “Every firefighter at the scene that night gave 100% and then gave more to preserve as many lives as they could under catastrophic conditions.”
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