Nine people have died and at least 30 more injured after a huge fire at an assisted living facility.
Firefighters rushed to Gabriel House in Fall River, Massachusetts, shortly before 10pm local time on Sunday.
Several residents of the home were trapped inside the burning building until the fire was put out on Monday morning, allowing firefighters and police officers to get inside and rescue several people.
In horrifying scenes residents were ‘hanging out the windows looking to be rescued’, Chief Jeffrey Bacon said, while police officers tried to break windows and help them out.
A spokesperson for Fall River Police Department said: ‘Without hesitation, officers entered the smoke-filled facility, breaking down doors and escorting residents to safety.
‘Approximately a dozen non-ambulatory residents were physically carried out by our officers. Their bravery and quick action undoubtedly saved many lives.’
The house has about 70 occupants, and at least 30 of them were injured in the blaze.
The huge rescue effort involved 50 firefighters, 30 of whom were off duty at the time, and five firefighters also suffered injuries during the rescue operation.
Leo Johnson, 45, rushed over to find his 68-year-old mother, who lives on the top floor of Gabriel House.
He said ‘I was kinda freaking out because she wasn’t one of the ones outside,’ but eventually found his mother outside, soaking wet because the sprinklers were on.
Joe Alves, who lives close to the facility, was watching TV when he heard the wave of sirens and fire crews.
He said he saw officials pulling bodies and injured pets out of the building, with some pouring water bottles on burns as they desperately tried to help those in need.
‘There were people in wheelchairs, a lot of people missing limbs, it was terrible,’ Joe added.
The cause of the fire is now under investigation.
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