A fire broke out at a nursing home in Massachusetts, USA, resulting in the deaths of nine people. Other residents were trapped inside, and at least 30 people sustained injuries.
The firefighters’ union stated that a staffing shortage hindered the effective extinguishing of the fire and contributed to the fatalities. However, the city’s mayor criticized these claims, and the fire chief suggested that even a larger response may not have been able to contain the blaze.
Authorities in Bristol County reported that the cause of the fire “does not currently appear to be suspicious,” but the investigation is ongoing.
Meanwhile, residents of the nursing home, which housed around 70 people, claimed that staff did not assist them during the fire but instead fled the burning building.
“They didn’t knock on any doors. They just ran,” said Robert Cabral.
Lorraine Ferrara said she woke up to a neighbor knocking on her door. She tried to enter the hallway, but the smoke forced her back into her room.
As the room began filling with smoke, Ferrara opened a window and screamed. According to her, a firefighter broke the window and helped her down using a ladder.
“I really thought I was going to die. I thought there was no way out,” she said.
Ferrara said her fear quickly turned to anger when she saw two staff members running out of the burning building.
The victims were between 61 and 86 years old.
