The mayor of Fall River, Massachusetts said only two people were working at the Gabriel House when a fire broke out Sunday night, killing nine residents at the assisted living facility. An employee told CBS News both workers were new to the job.

City Councilor Linda Pereira during the Fall River City Council Tuesday July 15, 2025.

"In all my years of being a Fire Chaplain, tonight was the worst night of experiencing such loss of life, multiple fatalities in Fall River," said Fall River Fire Chaplain Rev. Michael Racine.