When the deadly fire broke out Sunday night at Gabriel House in Fall River, Massachusetts, the assisted living facility had 70 residents and just two staff members working, according to the mayor and an employee.

The real issue is that assisted livings operate in an environment like the Wild West,” said Richard Mollot, executive director of the Long Term Care Community Coalition.

FALL RIVER — The nine residents killed in a fire here at Gabriel House, an assisted living residence, are being remembered as fonts of knowledge and symbols of longevity.

The mayor of Fall River said only two people were working at the Gabriel House in Fall River when a fire broke out Sunday night, killing nine residents​ at the assisted living facility.

Questions about Gabriel House living conditions and emergency preparedness continue to swirl following Sunday’s deadly fire.

Gabriel House residents described a chaotic scene Sunday night before they were rescued from the blaze that left nine dead and dozens more injured.