Local
Fall River recognizes more than 40 firefighters for Gabriel House rescues
More than 40 Fall River firefighters received honors at a Friday ceremony for their response to the 2025 Gabriel House fire, which killed 10 people. Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon urged attendees to remember the people brought to safety and the families changed by those rescues.
More than 40 Fall River firefighters were honored Friday for their response to the deadly 2025 fire at Gabriel House, an assisted and independent living facility in the city.
The ceremony at Kuss Middle School auditorium brought together firefighters, residents, Mayor Paul Coogan and Gov. Maura Healey. The July fire claimed 10 lives.
Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon praised the department’s work and emphasized that the awards represented a collective effort. He cautioned against comparing firefighters’ contributions by the length of their citations or the number of medals they received.
Instead, Bacon asked those gathered to remember the people rescued and the families whose lives were changed. Each rescue, he said, gave someone another chance.
Other speakers included Brockton Fire Chief Brian Nardelli, who is president of the Massachusetts Fire Chiefs Association, along with Coogan and Healey.