Victims Id'd In Massachusetts Assisted Living Facility Fire That Killed 9, Cause Under Investigation

Officials are continuing to analyse nan origin of a fire astatine a Massachusetts assisted surviving facility that killed 9 group and critically injured another.

Several of nan group killed were identified Monday, including Rui Albernaz, 64; Ronald Codega, 61; Margaret Duddy, 69; Robert King, 78; Kim Mackin, 71; Richard Rochon, 78; and Eleanor Willett, 86.

The identities of a 70-year-old female and a 77-year-old man were being withheld until their families could beryllium notified, nan Bristol County District Attorney’s Office said successful a news release.

Holly Mallowes, Willett’s granddaughter, told NBC Boston that her grandma “was nan stone of nan family.”

“We’re praying she went peacefully from nan smoke,” she said. “That’s weighing connected us. Was location immoderate suffering?”

Rochon’s family said he was a sharpshooter successful nan Army and a Vietnam veteran.

“He loved getting visits from his niece and nephew,” his niece, Breonna Cestodio, said.

Mackin’s nephew, Austin Mackin, told The Associated Press successful an emailed connection that his aunt was a “gift beyond words.”

“We will each miss Kimmy,” nan connection read. “Beyond being exceptionally kind, fewer knew that she was a superb musician.”

The occurrence collapsed retired astir 9:30 p.m. Sunday astatine nan Gabriel House Assisted Living Residence, which houses astir 70 people. More than 30 group had been taken to section hospitals, officials said. One personification was successful captious condition.

The occurrence harm was contained to 1 wing, but location was dense fume harm passim nan facility. Dozens of group had to beryllium rescued by a ladder.

Lorraine Ferrara told The Associated Press that she woke up to a neighbour pounding connected her door. She said she tried to flight done nan smoke-filled hallway, but she had to spell backmost to her room because nan sprinkler strategy was shooting basking h2o onto her back.

Ferrara said she opened her model and yelled for help. A firefighter collapsed nan model and carried her down nan ladder.

“I really thought I was going to die,” she said. “I thought location was nary measurement out.”

The proprietor of Gabriel House did not instantly respond to a petition for remark connected Tuesday.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey called nan occurrence a “tragedy” and said a afloat investigation is underway.

“We are each praying for those who mislaid loved ones and for nan afloat betterment of those who were injured,” she said successful a statement.