FALL RIVER, Mass. (AP) — A fire that killed 10 people at a Massachusetts assisted-living facility was unintentionally caused by someone smoking or an electrical issue with an oxygen machine, investigators said Tuesday
The state’s deadliest blaze in more than four decades has highlighted the lack of regulations governing assisted-living facilities that often care for low-income or disabled residents.
The state fire marshal, Jon Davine, said the presence of medical oxygen contributed to the spread of the July 13 fire at Gabriel House in Fall River. The blaze left some residents of hanging out windows of the three-story building screaming for help.
“Please, there’s truly no safe way to smoke. But smoking is especially dangerous when home oxygen is in use,” Davine said at a news conference Tuesday.
Investigators found no signs that electrical outlets, lights, heaters or cooking appliances sparked the fire, said Thomas Quinn, the district attorney for Bristol County.
Earlier Tuesday, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said the state was releasing $1.2 million to hire more emergency response personnel for blue-collar city about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Boston. She said additional funds will be expedited for the state’s municipal public safety staffing program.
Members of the local firefighter’s union have said a lack of emergency personnel staffing made responding to the blaze more difficult, and made the fire itself deadlier.
“We are here today to listen,” Healey said, “to make sure that we understand what this community needs now and moving forward in the wake of this tragedy.”
The district attorney’s office identified the 10th victim as Halina Lawler, 70, on Monday. The victims of the fire ranged in age from 61 to 86.
The governor said last week that a state agency that ensures assisted-living residences comply with regulations will investigate all 273 such facilities in Massachusetts to make sure they are prepared to…