Brenda Cropper, 66, died from injuries sustained in a five-alarm fire at Gabriel House, bringing the total death toll to ten. The fire occurred in Fall River and resulted in injuries to dozens, affecting residents aged 61 to 86. The fire chief indicated the cause appears accidental, with a review of emergency preparedness and staffing levels at the assisted living facility and fire department underway. Mayor Coogan announced plans for increasing firefighter staffing to ensure better emergency response in the future.
Brenda Cropper, 66, had been hospitalized in critical condition following Sunday's five-alarm blaze, which killed nine other Gabriel House residents and injured dozens more.
Fire's origin and cause remain under investigation, but Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon stated the flames broke out in a room on the facility's second floor.
Bacon described how Fall River firefighters waded through heavy black smoke to evacuate non-ambulatory Gabriel House residents and said their actions were 'nothing short of heroic.'
Mayor Paul Coogan announced the city will bring on additional firefighters to help address staffing levels, aiming to improve emergency response during incidents like the recent fire.
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