The Bristol County DA Says It Incorrectly Declared a 10th Person Dead in Fall River Fire

The woman is alive, but in critical condition

Nine people died and more than 30 were injured in a fire at an assisted living facility in Fall River, Mass., on July 13, 2025.
Nine people died and more than 30 were injured in a fire at an assisted living facility in Fall River, Mass., on July 13, 2025.
Lindsey Poole / RIPBS
Share
Nine people died and more than 30 were injured in a fire at an assisted living facility in Fall River, Mass., on July 13, 2025.
Nine people died and more than 30 were injured in a fire at an assisted living facility in Fall River, Mass., on July 13, 2025.
Lindsey Poole / RIPBS
The Bristol County DA Says It Incorrectly Declared a 10th Person Dead in Fall River Fire
Copy

The Bristol County District Attorney’s office said Friday it had mistakenly announced that a 10th person had died in the fire at the Gabriel House assisted living facility in Fall River.

The DA’s office said yesterday that 66-year-old Brenda Cropper had died. But now, the DA said that the mistake was due to “a miscommunication with a medical agency.”

Cropper is still alive, the DA said, but she remains in critical condition.

Nine others died in the Gabriel House fire. An investigation into the fire’s cause is still ongoing, but Fall River Fire Department Chief Jeffrey Bacon said he believes it was accidental.

The DA’s office has not responded to multiple requests for comment from The Public’s Radio.

Early skirmishes in the battle for governor of Rhode Island
The hospital’s operator says it plans to keep the Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center open, but that it needs to raise more funds to ensure its viability
Revived ‘Riding the Circuit’ program brings real-world clarity on law, life to students
From tips for your gardening and a documentary about book bans to the Greenes of Rhode Island and a book club that meets at a local cat café, here’s what’s happening at the Tiverton Public Library this month
Plus: the African American Museum of Rhode Island opens this weekend and Andrew Bird plays with the RI Philharmonic
Barrington businessman points to bridge failures and payroll woes as proof Rhode Island needs a reset, entering the race as an independent