The firefighters who rushed in to a burning Massachusetts assisted living facility in Fall River and rescued dozens of elderly residents describe that tragic night as pure chaos.

The statement on Monday by George Reagan Jr., a spokesperson for the Gabriel House ownership, said they were “eternally grateful” to the Fall River fire and police departments for their “heroic response to the fire.” The statement also commended ambulance companies and medical personnel who provided care to the victims.

At a press conference Tuesday, July 15, outside FRFD headquarters, Bacon said the city has typically relied on overtime for coverage in the event of a crisis -- but in an event like the Gabriel House “you can never have enough staff,” and that he is primarily focused on the lives that were saved.