STRASBOURG: AT least 10 people have been killed in a fire at a holiday lodging facility for disabled troubled youth in eastern France, western media reported on Wednesday.
Nathalie Kielwasser, deputy prosecutor for Colmar, told media that 11 people were surrounded by the fire while sleeping on the first floor and in the basement of the building located in the Alsacian town of Wintzenheim, in eastern France. She said five others managed to escape.
she added twelve people who were sleeping at the ground floor were able to leave the premises.
The adults who were staying at the facility had slight intellectual disabilities. They were on a vacation trip sponsored by two specialized associations.
The official said investigations are underway to determine the circumstances of the fire and whether the facility had met all the required safety standards.
At least 11 dead in fire at French vacation home
Local authorities confirmed one of the survivors is in critical condition in the hospital.
Lt. Col. Philippe Hauwiller, who supervised the rescue work of firefighters, said that the fire might be started on the upper floor of the building.
He went on to say the ground floor of the house was made of stone while the upper portion of the building was built of wood which caught the fire.
