A fire engulfed a vacation residence tailored for adults with disabilities, resulting in a loss of 11 lives, according to the head of rescue operations, Lt. Col. Philippe Hauwiller.
The incident happened on Wednesday, August 9, in Wintzenheim, eastern France, near the German border.
Lt. Col. Hauwiller, overseeing the efforts of firefighters, revealed that search teams were combing the area for two missing people, feared to have been unable to escape the fire. Among the affected individuals, 17 were successfully evacuated, with one person transported to the hospital due to serious injuries.
The blaze started at 6:30 am, permitting only those on the ground floor to escape. However, 11 occupants were trapped on an upper level and a mezzanine that later collapsed.
Prime Minister, Elisabeth Borne expressed her concern and announced on social media that she would go to the incident site.
Reportedly, the residents included adults with “slight intellectual disabilities.” According to the Wintzenheim Deputy Mayor they were believed to be aged between 27-50. The building was almost completely destroyed, with only the ground floor left.
Investigators will seek to find out if the building, comprised of two rental homes, one on top of the other, abided by safety standards for large groups.