Fire! A tragic blaze at the Gabriel House assisted living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts, resulted in nine fatalities and multiple injuries, putting assisted living fire safety under the spotlight. Approximately 50 firefighters battled the flames and rescued residents trapped inside. The cause remains under investigation, but early reports suggest that smoking or a medical oxygen machine may have caused the deadly fire at the Massachusetts assisted-living home.

A lawsuit was filed by a Gabriel House resident on Monday, alleging the facility was mismanaged, inadequately staffed, and poorly maintained. The lawsuit also claims residency rules weren’t enforced and that “emergency response procedures were not put in place,” according to NBC Boston. This tragedy has spurred a statewide review of all 273 assisted living facilities to ensure fire safety measures are being upheld, as highlighted in NBC Boston’s coverage.

Governor Maura Healey emphasized, “This is a moment to make sure that every Assisted Living Residence is prepared to respond to emergencies and to protect the safety of their residents.” In response, her office is finalizing a proposal for stronger regulatory requirements at the state’s assisted living facilities, a move noted by McKnight’s Senior Living.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Now is the time to evaluate your emergency preparedness plan and ensure compliance. If your community is smoke-free, who is enforcing it? The use of oxygen increases fire risks, and smoking and oxygen are a deadly combination. Let this be a reminder that assisted living fire safety must be an ongoing priority—your residents’ lives may depend on it.

Stay well and stay informed!