Survivor sues assisted-living facility over fatal fire

After a fire set an independent and assisted-living facility in Fall River, MA, ablaze, one resident filed a civil lawsuit against the company that manages the complex.

Steven Oldrid, a Gabriel House resident, survived the deadly fire that killed 10 people and injured dozens more on July 13, as reported by the Boston Globe.

In the lawsuit obtained by Realtor.com, Oldrid alleges that the facility was “not properly managed, staffed, maintained, or supervised,” which became strikingly clear on the day of the fire.

“At the time of the July 13, 2025, fire, the plaintiff, Steven Oldrid, was in an already compromised physical condition,” the lawsuit stated.

Oldrid was confined to an electric wheelchair — a mobility device that he used to get around the facility — so when the fire started, he was unable to exit the building without assistance.

Safety plan

“One of our biggest things here is the evacuation plan,” Oldrid’s attorney, Robin Gouveia, tells Realtor.com. “My client was in a power chair. He was not capable of walking across a room. He could transfer from chair to bed, chair to chair, but he could not walk across a room.”

During a fire or other emergency, elevators are typically taken out of service and are not used for evacuation. This is because elevators can become unsafe due to fire, smoke, power outages, or mechanical issues — which was the case at the Fall River facility.

Oldrid told Gouveia that there was a sign on the back of his apartment door that detailed instructions for residents in case of a fire emergency.

Essentially, the signage told residents to close their doors and stay in their rooms “until somebody comes to get you,” Gouveia says. “That’s not a good warning.”

Oldrid, who lived on the third floor of the complex, suffered smoke inhalation, respiratory distress, and loss of consciousness when trapped in his room.

“By reason of said injuries the plaintiff Steven Oldrid has been caused to suffer further injury to an already compromised physical state, loss of function; he has been caused to incur expense for hospital and medical treatment his activities have been restricted and his ability to engage in his pre-injury daily activities has been adversely affected,” according to the lawsuit.

Oldrid is still recovering from his emotional and physical injuries, according to Gouveia.

“He had other underlying medical issues that is complicating his recovery, but he’s more traumatized at this point,” says Gouveia.

Gabriel Home management promises to cooperate with investigators

George K. Regan Jr., a spokesman for Gabriel House, said management will continue to work with the police who are investigating the deadly fire.

“Ensuring the safety of our residents has always been our paramount responsibility since our purchase of Gabriel House in late 1999. Maintaining compliance with all safety and building codes has always been our priority, and there were quarterly inspections of the fire suppression system – the latest as recently as five days prior to the fire,” Regan said in a press release.

“Gabriel House continues to work closely with state and local fire investigators as they seek the cause, origin, and potential contributing factors to the fire, and have provided them with all records related to the building’s safety.”

Regan noted that one of the investigation’s main focuses is the building’s fire suppression system, or sprinkler system. Some residents who survived the fatal fire said they did not see the water system activate in certain areas of the living facility, according to the Globe.

Gouveia says multiple other offenses could have led to the disaster.

“From what my client understood, there were only two women working the desk at the time of this incident. It was at night, so I’m sure they don’t have as many staff, but two staff certainly would not be enough. Probably four staff would be enough for 75 people,” Gouveia explains.

Additionally, despite a “no smoking” rule, Gouveia claims her client witnessed many residents smoking in their rooms with no consequences.

Although there was supposed to be a $25 fine for anyone caught smoking, Oldrid told Gouveia that he could recall only one person who was fined a “long, long time ago.”

Once Oldrid’s complaint has been served, the Gabriel House will have a period of time to answer.