By Charlie McKenna
masslive.com
FALL RIVER, Mass. — Body camera footage released Thursday afternoon by the Fall River Police Department shows officers combing the Gabriel House assisted living facility as a fire raged, rescuing residents and breaking down doors in search of others.
The footage shows officers walking into what appears to be the front entrance of the facility around 9:44 p.m. Thursday, about 2 minutes after a dispatcher can be heard sending first responders to the scene on radio transmissions. The fire alarm can be heard blaring in each of the videos, as officers hurry residents out of the building.
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“We need you out, there’s a huge fire,” one officer says. “Big fire.”
A firefighter is seen in the building carrying an axe minutes later, at 9:45 p.m., as first responders broke down doors to warn residents of the impending danger. Officers used flashlights and explosive door knocks as they made their way through the facility.
At one point, officers are seen outside coughing and keeled over, seemingly choking on the heavy smoke that filled the building. At another, two officers jump through an open window.
Police were still working with firefighters to rescue residents more than 40 minutes after they arrived at the scene, often physically carrying residents and helping them down flights of stairs.
Officials have said the mobility issues of many residents contributed to the severity of the blaze, which killed 10 people and injured dozens more. Five people remain hospitalized on Thursday, Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon said.
In all, 11 police officers and two sergeants responded to the fire, equipped with flashlights, explosive door-kicks and “exceptional courage,” the department said in a statement. About 65 firefighters, including many who were off-duty, responded to the scene, officials said.
Those who responded “exemplified professionalism, bravery, and selflessness in the face of danger,” the statement reads.
Still, the footage shows only a “narrow view of the challenging and chaotic conditions faced by first responders that evening,” the department said.
“In times of tragedy, we often witness the strength of our community and this incident was no exception,” police wrote. “We extend our sincere gratitude to the many residents, businesses, and organizations that have reached out with support and compassion for those affected.”
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