Investigations into what starts a fire require a methodical look at the scene and can take a long time to complete.

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.

River's building department released certificates of inspection for the assisted living facility where nine people died in a fire, Sunday night.

The Massachusetts assisted-living facility where a fatal fire killed nine people was caring for dozens of aging residents reliant on wheelchairs and oxygen tanks, but it lacked the safety measures and most of the staffing requirements that are commonplace in nursing homes.

A state official documented 26 instances where staff members did not report specific emergency situations to the state within the 24-hour window required by law.