Gabriel House fire could change inspection process for nursing homes, assisted living facilities

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WLNE) — As the massive investigation into the cause and origin of the Gabriel House fire ensues, we’re learning more about the fire safety inspection reports from the Oliver Street facility.

Fall River officials released six years of inspection reports to the public Thursday.

The Fall River Fire Department released several inspection reports for the Gabriel House assisted living facility.

The one-page checklist covers fire safety precautions like fire alarm systems, lit exit signs, operating exit doors and posted evacuation routes.

It also includes a sprinkler inspection and whether fire drills are being conducted.

The most recent inspection was last year, in August, and no issues were found.

But, Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon said when it comes to actually testing sprinkler and fire alarm systems, that’s up to Gabriel House to stay on top of.

“Our role in these inspections is to ensure that the facility is compliant with the licensed sprinkler professionals, licensed fire alarm professionals, and walk through the facility to make sure there are no safety hazards,” said Chief Bacon.

Additionally, fire drills are checked off the inspection report based on the logs provided by Gabriel House staff.

Physical proof of the drills are not a requirement.

“I would have to look into what the fire drills entailed,” said Bacon.

“The fire drills aren’t for residents. Right? Because they’re not going to be able to help themselves. The fire drills in the nursing homes we had are for the staff.”

An overnight nursing assistant for the Gabriel House told our ABC affiliate WCVB that that’s not the case.

“We didn’t do no practices, we didn’t do no fire drills. We didn’t do any of that,” said nursing assistant Debbie Johnson.

“I wanted to run in there and get my people out. They’re like my family.”

Debbie Johnson wasn’t working the night of the deadly fire.

But Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan confirmed only two staff members were at the Oliver Street facility on Sunday night when the deadly fire broke out.

According to Gabriel House’s website, staff is on site 24 hours a day. Quote, “If an emergency occurs, no matter the time, there will be someone ready to help.”

The Fire Chief praised the work of his department and all other first responders who worked in unison to save as many people as possible.

But Fire Chief Bacon also says, the Gabriel House fire could bring change to how the inspection process works for assisted living facilities and nursing homes.

“I anticipate changes in a lot of the way these buildings are handled. When there’s a tragedy of this magnitude, things change,” said Chief Bacon.

In a statement to the Boston Globe, Dennis Etzkorn, the owner of Gabriel House said in part:

…We will continue to cooperate with the authorities and provide them with any information they may need throughout the investigative process regarding the cause and origin of this fire.

The Gabriel House was previously found not in compliance with Massachusetts state regulations.

Inspectors from the Executive Office of Aging and Independence last visited the facility in October of 2023.

They found missing records, poorly stored medication and delayed reports of emergencies involving residents.

The facility was found to be in compliance again by December of 2023.

They were due for a follow-up inspection this fall.