Home Economy Government DA blames ‘miscommunication’ for incorrectly reporting 10th fatality in Gabriel House fire

DA blames ‘miscommunication’ for incorrectly reporting 10th fatality in Gabriel House fire

By

PBN Staff

-

07/18/2025

Makeshift memorial — FLOWERS SIT at a makeshift memorial in front of the Gabriel House assisted-living facility in Fall River, where a fire killed several people on July 13. / ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO/RODRIQUE NGOWI

FALL RIVER – The district attorney claims it incorrectly identified a 10th victim from the fatal fire that tore through the Gabriel House assisted-living facility on July 13, WJAR-TV NBC 10 reported Friday. Brenda Cropper, 66, remains in critical condition. Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn III said the report of her death was “a miscommunication.”

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FALL RIVER – The district attorney claims it incorrectly identified a 10th victim from the fatal fire that tore through the Gabriel House assisted-living facility on July 13, WJAR-TV NBC 10 reported Friday. Brenda Cropper, 66, remains in critical condition. Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn III said the report of her death was "a miscommunication." “Ms. Cropper remains in critical condition at this time. The BCDAO has been in contact with Ms. Cropper’s family regarding this matter. We will provide updates when they become available," a spokesperson for the district attorney's office told WJAR-TV. On Thursday, the city released six years' worth of fire inspection reports that showed the building was checked annually and that everything was in working order, WPRI-TV CBS 12 reported. The inspection reports analyzed the building’s fire alarms, sprinklers, fire drill documentation, exit signs, fire extinguishers, cleared egresses and emergency lighting. The last inspection occurred on Aug. 9, 2024, and the facility was due for a new check in August. According to Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon, the blaze started in a room on the second floor on the east side of the building, but details about the exact origin and cause are under investigation. However, the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office has maintained that the cause “does not appear to be suspicious.” The fire trapped residents inside, including some who were hanging out of windows screaming for help. At least 30 people were hurt and nine people initially were reported dead, all of whom were over the age of 60. Those who died have been identified as Joseph Wilansky, 77; Rui Albernaz, 64; Ronald Codega, 61; Margaret Duddy, 69; Robert King, 78; Kim Mackin, 71; Richard Rochon, 78; and Eleanor Willett, 86. The identification of a 70-year-old woman has not been released. About 50 firefighters responded to the scene, including 30 who were off duty. Police helped break down doors and carried about a dozen residents to safety. Five injured firefighters were released from the hospital on July 14. Union officials say the city didn’t staff enough firefighters to rescue all the residents trapped in the blaze – a contention that city officials have since sought to resolve by promising to add more firefighters to each shift, initially via overtime and eventually by hiring new staff. Meanwhile, the facility’s owner had a previous citation for failing to report numerous health and safety incidents. The tragedy has also called attention to the minimal regulations that govern assisted-living facilities. (Material from The Associated Press was used in this report.)