Five Gabriel House fire victims remain hospitalized, one in critical condition at RI Hospital

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WLNE) — Fall River Fire Department Chief Jeffrey Bacon met with the media for a third consecutive day to give updates on the aftermath of Sunday’s deadly Gabriel House fire.

According to Chief Bacon, the investigation into the cause of the fire is still ongoing.

Bacon also offered additional confirmation on the death of 66-year-old Brenda Cropper, the tenth person to die as a result of the fire.

She was being treated at Rhode Island Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries on Wednesday.

Bacon added that there are still two victims at Charlton Memorial Hospital and two victims at Saint Anne’s Hospital, both in Fall River.

There is also one patient in critical condition at Rhode Island Hospital at this time.

The investigation is still active and investigative personnel followed up on the scene of the fire Wednesday.

Bacon went on to thank the dispatch personnel who took calls during the fire on Sunday.

“Sunday night asked them to do something well beyond their normal capabilities,” Bacon said of the dispatchers.

Bacon also addressed questions about staffing in the wake of Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan’s announcement that more firefighters would be brought on to the department.

Bacon said that there are currently five recruits who will start for the department in October, and that there is grant money on the way to the department to address staffing.

This will help relieve stress on the current staff.

Bacon also spoke about his advocacy for mental health among fire department personnel, saying that the average firefighter only lives for seven years after retirement.

This can be attributed to various stress manifestations such as drinking and heart problems.

Bacon said that he is a believer in the idea that firefighters should “talk to anyone willing to listen.”

Bacon will address the media again Friday at 1 p.m.