The mayor of Fall River, Massachusetts said only two people were working at the Gabriel House when a fire broke out Sunday night, killing nine residents at the assisted living facility. An employee told CBS News both workers were new to the job.

City Councilor Linda Pereira during the Fall River City Council Tuesday July 15, 2025.

“These people did not deserve what they got,” said Deborah Johnson, a certified nursing assistant who has worked at the Fall River facility for four years.