Two lawsuits have been filed over the tragic fire at a Fall River, Massachusetts assisted living facility that took the lives of 10 residents and injured 30 others on July 13, making it the state’s deadliest residential fire in decades.
Three residents of Gabriel House have filed a lawsuit against the facility, its owner Dennis Etzkorn, and the building’s fire safety equipment firm, Fire Systems Inc. of North Dartmouth. Fire survivors Patricia Martin, Terry Young and Donna Murphey allege bodily injury and property damage resulting from the “negligence of the defendants, their violations of statutory and regulatory duties, and disregard for the residents receiving care.”
The lawsuit alleges that the fire exposed “widespread failures of building equipment and systems,” including early warning, life safety, fire suppression, and emergency egress, in violation of state codes, licensing regulations, industry standards, and the standard of care.
Woman, 66, Is 10th Person to Die After Massachusetts Assisted-Living Facility Fire
The lawsuit further alleges the management allowed smoking in a building where oxygen was in use. The suit cites comments by the state fire marshal that the fire was “more likely than not the result of careless smoking activities or the failure of an oxygen concentrator on the second floor of the property” and that “the presence of medical oxygen in the area of origin and in other nearby rooms played a significant role in the fire’s rapid spread.”
Smoking or Oxygen Machine Eyed as Possible Causes of Assisted Living Home Fire
Gabriel House was home to 70 residents receiving care and, according to the complaint, there were only two staff members on-shift when the fire occurred.
The lawsuit seeks damages for emotional and physical injuries as well as for assisted living, medical care and relocation expenses. The personal injury firm Morgan & Morgan that brought the suit for the three residents also represents families of two residents who died in the fire.
The state fire marshal’s investigation into the fire is ongoing.
Deadly Massachusetts Fire Highlights Assisted Living Regulation, Staffing
A separate lawsuit has been filed by resident Steven Oldrid, a resident who who was trapped in his room and suffered smoke inhalation, respiratory distress, and loss of consciousness during the fire. He says the fire caused further injury to his “already compromised physical state.” Oldrid says his ability to engage in his pre-injury daily activities has been adversely affected. His lawsuit alleges that Gabriel House lacked proper management, staffing, and emergency procedures. As a result, he has incurred expenses for hospital and medical treatment.
Massachusetts Announces New Safety Measures for Assisted Living Facilities
Oldrid’s suit, filed by attorney Michael O’Malley, is against Gabriel Care Inc., which it identifies as the corporation that owns and operates the facility.
Gabriel House owner Etzkorn told The Associated Press that he is cooperating with investigators. A statement from Gabriel House maintained that it is focused on finding out what caused this catastrophe. “Maintaining compliance with all safety and building codes has always been our priority, and there were quarterly inspections of the fire suppression system – the latest as recently as five days prior to the fire,” a Gabriel House spokesperson said, according to The Associated Press.
Photo: Boards cover the windows of the Gabriel House assisted living facility, where a fire on Sunday killed several people, Tuesday, July 15, 2025 in Fall River, Mass. (AP Photo/Kimberlee Kruesi)
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
Berkshire Insurance Units Report Lower Q2 Operating Income Overall 
Verisk’s $2.35B Buy of AccuLynx ‘Natural Fit’ for Claims Management Solutions 
Industry Trades Throw Support Behind Bill to Affirm State Regulation of Insurance 
In Commuters’ Wurst Nightmare, Hot Dog Spill Shuts Highway 
