Spokesperson for Gabriel House addresses sprinkler system, building codes

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WLNE) — A spokesperson for the owners of the Gabriel House have released a statement just over a week after the tragic fire that killed 10 residents.

In the statement, a spokesperson for the Gabriel House, George K. Regan Jr., thanked Fall River police and firefighters, and addressed the sprinkler systems and building codes.

According to the statement, the sprinklers were tested inside the assisted living facility on July 8, which showed the sprinklers were working five days before the fire.

Additionally, the statement said the facility conducted quarterly inspections of the sprinkler system.

Regan also said that “maintaining compliance with all safety and building codes has always been our priority,” and provided the building’s safety records to investigators.

Regan added that the Gabriel House is working with state and local investigators in finding the cause, origin, and other factors related to the fire.

The full statement can be read below:

“There are no words to adequately convey the depths of our grief and shock over the devastating events of July 13 at the Gabriel House. Indeed, to call what occurred that night a tragedy is an understatement. Our hearts are broken for the victims and their families; their losses will never be forgotten.

We are eternally grateful to the Fall River Fire Department and Fall River Police Department for their heroic response to the fire, and we also thank the ambulance companies and medical personnel who provided exemplary and compassionate care to our victims.

The Gabriel House has been a fixture in the community for decades, and our staff – half of whom have been with us for 10 years or more – is deeply dedicated to improving the lives of our residents every day. We take pride in knowing that we make assisted living possible for many community members in need who might not otherwise be able to obtain that assistance. We are currently providing temporary housing to residents who were displaced by the fire.

Ensuring the safety of our residents has always been our paramount responsibility since our purchase of Gabriel House in late 1999. Maintaining compliance with all safety and building codes has always been our priority, and there were quarterly inspections of the fire suppression system – the latest as recently as five days prior to the fire.

Gabriel House continues to work closely with state and local fire investigators as they seek the cause, origin, and potential contributing factors to the fire, and have provided them with all records related to the building’s safety.

One focus of the investigation has been the status of the building’s fire suppression system, or sprinkler system, and investigators have taken several sprinkler heads for further investigation. Among the information we have provided is documentation of regular tests of the sprinklers by the vendor, the most recent of which was performed on July 8 of this year. That test reported the sprinkler system to be in working order.

We will continue to provide investigators with whatever assistance they need. We, like them, realize the importance of knowing exactly what caused this catastrophe, and if there were factors that made it worse. Our community, our residents, and most of all, the families who have suffered these unimaginable losses, deserve nothing less. We deeply value our standing in the Fall River community and will continue to strive every day to be a responsible, compassionate, and caring neighbor.”