On Wednesday morning, a fire broke out at a holiday care center for disabled individuals in Wintzenheim, France, resulting in the tragic loss of nine lives, while seventeen people were effectively rescued. The fire has since been brought under control ongoing efforts are in progress for the rescue operation.
A devastating fire broke out in the holiday cottage situated in the town of Wintzenheim, about 315 miles east from Paris, France on Wednesday, 9 August.
The fire was initially reported approximately 14 minutes after it broke out.
The vacation home was hosting people with disabilities who came from Nancy, a city located about 140 kilometers (87 miles) northwest of Wintzenheim, according to a statement from the prefecture of Haut Rhin.
The local authorities in Haut Rhin, mentioned that intense flames covered around 300 square meters (3,200 square feet) of the 500 square meter (5,400 square foot) building.
Leroy mentioned that all the visitors were adults, ranging in age from 27 to 50 years old. He described the building they were lodged in as having been “completely destroyed” by the fire, leaving only the ground floor intact
11 people, all adults from Nancy in eastern France were missing, Authorities of Wintzenheim confirmed earlier,
Out of 11, Nine bodies are discovered with two missing. There is concern that two additional individuals may have lost their lives.
The local official has labelled the missing individuals as “possibly deceased”.
Approximately 76 firefighters and 4 fire trucks were deployed to control fire at the incident site in Wintzenheim by the fire department authorities after emergency services were alerted at around 6:30 a.m. local time.
Additionally, 4 ambulances were also sent to treat victims that were rescued from the fire.
The fire was under control at around 9:00 am (local time) on Wednesday. They added that the fire had been successfully extinguished, but they were uncertain about its origin.
The local authorities stated that the fire is now contained, and the total number of evacuees stands at seventeen. Following the evacuation of seventeen people, with one individual receiving hospital care for a relatively urgent situation, approximately forty police officers were also called into action.
Statements from French Ministers Regarding Fire Outbreak Incident In France
President Emmanuel Macron expressed his condolences to those impacted and extended gratitude to the first responders in a statement. He conveyed his sympathies to the victims, the injured, and their families in light of this tragedy.Â
The President also acknowledged the efforts of security forces and the dedicated emergency services of France.
Gérald Darmanin, The Interior Minister expressed deep worry about the situation and acknowledged that the quick and brave efforts of Firefighters might not have been enough to prevent injuries or deaths.
In a tweet, he shared that despite their courage, there were unfortunately victims due to the fire that struck at a Vacation home for disabled individuals early in the morning and several casualties are being reported near Colmar, close to the German border.
Early this morning, a fire erupted in the facility for disabled people ” near the city of Colmar, France. Darmanin said.
Several casualties had been reported despite the courageous effort of the fire department, he added.
Moreover, French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne, along with Aurore Bergé, the minister for solidarity, personal independence, and disabled people, quickly said they would visit Wintzenheim to help the victims and their families of this incident.
The Prime Minister showed her initial concern for the Victims and their Families and later she applauded the firefighters for doing well.
My first thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones, PM.
