Halina Lawler Obituary, Death; – Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey is scheduled to meet with city officials and inform the public on Tuesday regarding the response to a fire at an assisted-living facility in Fall River that resulted in the deaths of 10 individuals.
The fire, which occurred on July 13 at Gabriel House, located approximately 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Boston, is still under investigation. The incident left some residents trapped and calling for help from the windows of the three-story building. This tragic event has underscored the absence of regulations governing assisted-living facilities that typically serve low-income or disabled individuals.
Later on Tuesday, the Bristol County district attorney’s office is anticipated to conduct a news conference to offer an update on the ongoing investigation. While the cause of the fire remains undetermined, authorities have indicated that it does not seem to be suspicious.
On Monday, the district attorney’s office identified the 10th victim as Halina Lawler, aged 70. The ages of the fire victims ranged from 61 to 86.
In a statement last week, Healey mentioned that a state agency responsible for ensuring compliance among assisted living residences will investigate to ensure that all 273 such facilities in Massachusetts are “prepared to protect residents during emergencies.” She described the fire as “a horrible tragedy” and an opportunity to enhance safety measures.
“This is a moment to ensure that every Assisted Living Residence is equipped to respond to emergencies and safeguard the well-being of their residents,” Healey stated.
Gabriel House is owned by Dennis Etzkorn, who has expressed his willingness to cooperate with the investigations into the fire. The facility released a statement on Monday emphasizing the importance of determining “exactly what caused this catastrophe, and if there were factors that exacerbated it.” The statement also affirmed that the facility has consistently prioritized the safety of its residents.
“Ensuring compliance with all safety and building codes has always been our top priority, and we have conducted quarterly inspections of the fire suppression system – the most recent being as recent as…
