The owners of the Gabriel House Assisted Living Facility said their sprinklers and fire suppression system were last checked just five days before a tragic blaze trapped and killed 10 people.

“One focus of the investigation has been the status of the building’s fire suppression system, or sprinkler system, and investigators have taken several sprinkler heads for further investigation,” said George Regan, spokesperson for the Gabriel House, on Monday. “Among the information we have provided is documentation of regular tests of the sprinklers by the vendor, the most recent of which was performed on July 8 of this year. That test found the sprinkler system to be in working order.”

Nine residents of the Fall River facility died in the fire on the night of Sunday, July 13, and another resident died of her injuries in the hospital on Friday, marking the deadliest fire in Massachusetts in over 40 years. Over 30 residents were injured in the blaze.

No result of the state and local investigation into the cause of the fire have been released as of Monday. Advocates have pointed to a number of concerns regarding the incident, including staffing levels at the fire department and the building’s safety citations from the state.

On Monday, the Bristol County DA announced a press conference scheduled for Tuesday afternoon “related to certain preliminary findings of the Gabriel House Assisted Living Facility fire investigation.”

The DA’s office said the “fire investigation remains active and ongoing.”

“Ensuring the safety of our residents has always been our paramount responsibility since our purchase of Gabriel House in late 1999,” said Regan, noting the fire suppression system underwent “quarterly inspections.”

The owners said they have worked closely with state and local fire investigators and provided all records related to the building’s safety.

Gov. Maura Healey also announced a Fire and Life Safety Initiative on Friday, ordering the state’s 273 assisted living facilities to issue letters with safety details within five business days and complete state fire safety assessment survey.

The Gabriel House owner’s statement said their “hearts are broken for the victims and their families; their losses will never be forgotten.”

The facility ownership is providing temporary housing to displaced residents, the statement said, adding they have been proud “knowing that we make assisted living possible for many community members in need who might not otherwise be able to obtain that assistance.”

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Gabriel House was home to 70 residents, and firefighters arrived at the scene to find many hanging out of the windows of the three-story building, screaming for help.

“We will continue to provide investigators with whatever assistance they need,” Regan’s statement said. “We, like them, realize the importance of knowing exactly what caused this catastrophe, and if there were factors that made it worse. Our community, our residents, and most of all, the families who have suffered these unimaginable losses, deserve nothing less.”

Flowers sit at a makeshift memorial in front of the Gabriel House assisted living facility, where a fire on Sunday killed several people, Wednesday, July 16, 2025 in Fall River, Mass. (AP Photo/Rodrique Ngowi)