D.A. issues correction on Fall River fire victim, says she's still in critical condition
A woman who was reported to have died as a result of the tragic fire at Gabriel House in Fall River, Massachusetts actually remains in critical condition, the Bristol County District Attorney's Office corrected on Friday.
Brenda Cropper, 66, has been hospitalized since the fire that killed nine residents at the assisted living home Sunday night.
On Thursday, District Attorney Tom Quinn issued a statement that said Cropper "succumbed to her injuries" late Wednesday, making her the tenth victim of the fire.
Then on Friday, Quinn's office sent out this statement:
"Please be advised that due to a miscommunication with a medical agency, the Bristol County District Attorney's Office reported the passing of Brenda Cropper as a result of the Gabriel Assisted Living Center Fire. Ms. Cropper remains in critical condition at this time. The BCDAO has been in contact with Ms. Cropper's family regarding this matter. We will provide updates when they become available."
WBZ-TV has reached out to Cropper's daughter for comment but has not heard back yet.
Her daughter, Crystal Andrade, told WBZ Thursday that Cropper has four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The family said she suffered multiple organ failure and burns over more than fifty percent of her body in the fire. She is being treated in the burn unit at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence.
"I just want the person that, the owner of the building to take accountability and apologize," Andrade said. "Just to say sorry and to have empathy."
Gabriel House owner Dennis Etzkorn hasn't replied to multiple requests for comment all week from CBS News and WBZ-TV.
Nine other people, all over the age of 60, died in the fire at the assisted living home on Oliver Street.
The victims have been identified as 64-year-old Rui Albernaz, 61-year-old Ronald Codega, 69-year-old Margaret Duddy, 78-year-old Robert King, 71-year-old Kim Mackin, 78-year-old Richard Rochon, 86-year-old Eleanor Willett and 77-year-old Joseph Wilansky.
The ninth victim, a 70-year-old woman, still has not been identified by authorities.
There's still no official word yet on how or where the fire started, but sources told WBZ-TV's I-Team Thursday that investigators are looking into a number of issues in connection with the deadly fire, including the possibility that it was caused by smoking near an oxygen tank.
The sources also said investigators are also looking into the possibility that the building's sprinkler system may have been clogged and not working properly.
Investigators have said the fire is not considered suspicious.
