At least eleven people were missing in a fire in a rehabilitation center for the disabled in the eastern French town of Wintzenheim on Wednesday morning.
In a message published on social networks, the French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin regrets that there are “several casualties”, despite the “quick and courageous intervention of the firefighters”.
The fire “was quickly under control, despite the violence of the flames,” the Haut-Rhin municipality said in a statement. “17 people have been evacuated, one person has been taken to hospital with injuries and one person has been assisted in a state of shock. A group of 11 people is missing,” the municipality said.
According to AFP, citing local firefighters, the building where the flames broke out was rented by an association that helps people with disabilities.
A spark that leads to the core in a structure that stores the handicaps of the staff in Wintzenheim, in the Haut-Rhin. A quick and courageous intervention by the sapeurs-pompiers who save you, plusieurs victims seraient à déplorer. L’intervention se poursuit.
– Gérald DARMANIN (@GDarmanin) August 9, 2023
#BREAK Eleven people are missing after a fire broke out in a holiday home in the eastern French city #Wintzenheim. 17 people have been evacuated from the cottage, which was sheltering a group of disabled people. pic.twitter.com/pSLGJS4iPQ
– Our World (@MeetOurWorld) August 9, 2023
ALSACE: The prefecture reports that “our personnes manquent à l’appel” après l’incendie d’un foyer d’handicapés à #Wintzenheim, near Colmar. “Plusieurs victimes seraient à déplorer”, said Gérald Darmanin. (DNA) pic.twitter.com/QX9BPX7Xh2
– Infos Françaises (@InfosFrançaises) August 9, 2023
It is an old barn that has been transformed into a house of 500 m2 with two floors and an attic. According to the fire service, the fire started on the first floor. The municipality said the flames consumed “300 m2” of the building, writes Le Parisien newspaper.
Fire in French holiday home for the disabled: 11 missing, feared dead#France #Wintzenheim #firework #People with Disabilities #Accident #TragedyStrikes #RememberingLivesLost #BNN #Cup #breaking news pic.twitter.com/fPRwcecoym
– Nitish Verma (@nitsonnet) August 9, 2023
Authorities have opened an investigation to determine the causes of the fire.
Updated
Source: DN
