Gabriel House sued by former resident over alleged bodily injury and property damage from fire

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WLNE) — Another former resident of the Gabriel House assisted living facility has filed a lawsuit in the wake of the deadly July 13 fire at the facility.

The civil lawsuit is demanding $50,000 for bodily injury and property damage.

The suit was filed Monday by former tenant Alvaro Vieira’s attorney.

The lawsuit names Gabriel House owner Dennis Etzkorn and Fire Systems, Inc., the facility’s provider of fire alarms and life safety systems.

It claims the fire investigation exposed widespread issues already in place, including those with building equipment, emergency evacuation plans and fire suppression.

It also mentions that the assisted living facility had air conditioners in the windows that were too large, preventing evacuations.

Vieira accused management of negligence, breaking their contract, and inflicting emotional distress.

Other former residents filed a similar suit last week.

ABC6 has reached to Gabriel House and Fire Systems, Inc. for comment in this matter.