Brenda Cropper Obituary, Death Cause – A tenth victim has now been confirmed dead following the devastating fire earlier this week at the Gabriel House, an assisted living facility located on Oliver Street in Fall River, Massachusetts. Officials reported on Thursday that 66-year-old Brenda Cropper, who had been in critical condition since the incident on Sunday, succumbed to her injuries on Wednesday. The announcement was made by District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III.
The tragic blaze, which erupted on Sunday, has claimed the lives of ten individuals and injured three others. Authorities say the fire escalated to a five-alarm emergency, prompting the deployment of more than 50 firefighters who responded swiftly to the scene. Emergency personnel, including local police, fire, and emergency medical services, worked to rescue dozens of residents from the burning structure, which was home to 69 people at the time.
Some of the victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while others passed away after being transported to area hospitals. The confirmed victims of the fire include Rui Albernaz, 64; Ronald Codega, 61; Margaret Duddy, 69; Robert King, 78; Kim Mackin, 71; Richard Rochon, 78; Eleanor Willett, 86; Joseph Wilansky, 77; and a 70-year-old woman whose name has not been publicly released. With Brenda Cropper’s death, the total number of fatalities now stands at ten.
The cause and origin of the fire remain under investigation. The Massachusetts State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Section, assigned to the state fire marshal’s office, is working closely with the Fall River Fire and Police Departments and state troopers from the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office. These agencies are actively examining the circumstances that led to the tragic event, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
The fire at Gabriel House has been described as the deadliest fire in Massachusetts in over four decades. The last fire of similar magnitude occurred in 1984, when 15 people lost their lives in a rooming house fire in Beverly. Other major fires in the state’s recent history include a 2014 apartment blaze in Lowell that killed seven people, including three children; a 1999 warehouse fire in Worcester that claimed the lives of six firefighters; and a 2000 office building fire in Newton that killed five individuals.
As the investigation continues, the community is mourning the loss of lives in what has become a heartbreaking chapter in Fall River’s history. Local officials have offered condolences to the families and friends of the victims and have acknowledged the brave efforts of first responders who risked their own safety to evacuate residents and contain the blaze. The tragedy has also raised concerns about safety protocols and emergency preparedness in assisted living facilities across the state.
Support efforts are underway for those affected, and counseling services are being made available to survivors and the families of the deceased.
