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.

Rhode Island hospitality and liquor industry reps voiced their opposition to a proposed ban on serving THC drinks during public hearing with state cannabis regulators
The former Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island leader enters the Sept. primary against the longtime mayor
‘We don’t want somebody just picking someone up without a warrant.”
Quarterback Drake Maye and the New England Patriots take on the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium
As Rhode Island struggles to retain CNAs and home health aides, an educator at Salve Regina University is calling on local communities and higher education institutions to become more involved in the caregiving process
These are some of the many free events for kids and adults across the city’s nine community libraries – from a kazoo workshop, to the Providence Children’s Film Festival, to a cozy mystery book club