FALL RIVER, Mass. (AP) — Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said Tuesday the state would provide money to improve public safety staffing for the city of Fall River in the wake of last week’s fire at an assisted-living facility that killed 10 people.
The July 13 fire at Gabriel House was the state’s deadliest fire in more than four decades. The blaze left some residents of hanging out windows of the three-story building screaming for help. Members of the local firefighter’s union said lack of emergency personnel staffing in the city made responding to the blaze more difficult, and made the fire itself deadlier.
The fire in the blue-collar city in southern Massachusetts remains under investigation, but it has highlighted the lack of regulations governing assisted-living facilities that often care for low-income or disabled residents.
Following a meeting with city officials, Healey said the state was releasing $1.2 million for Fall River to hire more emergency response personnel. She also said additional funds will be expedited for the state’s municipal public safety staffing program.
“We are here today to listen to make sure that we understand what this community needs now and moving forward in the wake of this tragedy,” Healey said.
Healey said last week that a state agency that ensures regulatory compliance at assisted-living residences will investigate all 273 such facilities in Massachusetts to make sure they are prepared to protect residents during emergencies. She said Tuesday that work has begun.
Later Tuesday, the Bristol County district attorney’s office is expected to hold a news conference to provide an update on the investigation. Although the cause of the fire remains unknown, authorities have said it does not appear to be suspicious.
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.
A resident of Gabriel House filed a lawsuit…