Shirley Chambra was outside smoking a cigarette when she saw sparks and then flames at her home: the Gabriel House assisted-living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts.

Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon confirmed on Monday morning that emergency services performed "dozens of rescues to save multiple lives" but nine people had died in the fire and more than 30 were injured. There were around 70 residents in the building.

Gabriel House had seen better days. The 100-unit assisted-living facility that burned Sunday night, killing nine people so far, opened in 1999.

The Massachusetts assisted-living facility that caught fire Sunday evening was slated to undergo a recertification and compliance review process later this year.