The fire that claimed nine lives at an assisted-living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts, "was destined to kill 50-plus people," according to the local fire chief.

Elderly residents – some in wheelchairs and some dependent on oxygen tanks – were blinded by deadly smoke as they tried to escape an assisted-living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts, which caught fire Sunday evening.

Finger-pointing has begun after nine people died and dozens were hurt in a fire at a Massachusetts assisted-living facility, with questions arising over whether there were enough firefighters to respond and whether staff did enough to help.