In the northeastern part of France, a fire that broke out at a vacation home for individuals with disabilities resulted in the deaths of ten people and left one person missing on Wednesday, August 9.
Firefighters reported discovering the remains amid the wreckage of the structure, which had formerly served as a barn. Rescuers said there was little possibility of finding any survivors.
For the holidays, a group of people from Nancy rented out the private cottage in Wintzenheim, which is located in the Haut-Rhin and is close to Colmar. "Minor mental disabilities" was used to characterize the visitors.
Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin posted on X: "A fire broke out early this morning in a building for [disabled] people at Wintzenheim in the Haut-Rhin. Despite the rapid and courageous intervention of firefighters, whom I salute, there were regrettably a number of victims."
Un incendie s’est déroulé tôt ce matin dans une structure accueillant des personnes handicapées à Wintzenheim, dans le Haut-Rhin. En dépit de l’intervention rapide et courageuse des sapeurs-pompiers que je salue, plusieurs victimes seraient à déplorer. L’intervention se poursuit.
— Gérald DARMANIN (@GDarmanin) August 9, 2023
Fire at Vacation Home in Haut-Rhin
According to The Guardian, Fire Department Lt. Col. Philippe Hauwiller said the remains were located on the ground level and had been positively identified by drones.
Hauwiller said the fire had already spread throughout the structure by the time they arrived, within a quarter of an hour. He explained that 17 individuals had made it out of the building, but unfortunately, given the circumstances, 11 others were trapped in the building for whom there was nothing that could be done.
Reportedly, the intensity of the fire meant that the victims were likely already dead when firemen arrived. Damage to the house had made it difficult to recover their remains, he added. "Everyone from the ground floor was able to escape, but not everyone on the first floor could reach the exits."
Secretary General of the Haut-Rhin prefecture Christophe Marot, who was there at the tragic scene, stated, "The search continues. We are almost sure that the missing persons have died."
Authorities in the area said that the blaze began at about 6:30 AM local time and was extremely violent before being brought under control by 76 firemen relatively quickly. One person was transported to the hospital after being among the 17 persons who were able to leave the premises.
It has been stated that one of the eleven missing is a member of the traveling party.
The local police in Strasbourg have started looking into the cause of the fire as part of their inquiry.
It is believed that the group from Nancy first arrived on July 29 and was supposed to stay until August 19.
French President Emmanuel Macron offered his condolences to the victims, the injured, and their loved ones. Hauwiller added that Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne was on her way to Wintzenheim and would arrive on Wednesday afternoon.
