Fire at holiday home for disabled people in France leaves 11 people dead

A fire ripped through a holiday home for disabled people in eastern France, killing 11 people, officials say.

Flames trapped 11 people who were sleeping on the upper floor of the private accommodation in the town of Wintzenheim, Nathalie Kielwasser, deputy prosecutor for Colmar said.

The blaze reportedly broke out at 6.30am.

Five people on the upper floor escaped and 12 who were staying on the ground floor were able to evacuate, she said.

The adults, who had “slight intellectual disabilities,” were on a holiday she confirmed.

French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne arrived at the scene on Wednesday afternoon to support the victims.

It is believed 10 people with disabilities and a person accompanying the group are among the dead.

Many of the visitors came from the city of Nancy in eastern France, a statement from the Haut-Rhin prefecture said.

The blaze likely started on the home's upper floor, according to Lt. Col. Philippe Hauwiller, who was leading the rescue work of firefighters.

The ground floor was made of stone and the upper part of the building was built entirely of wood in the traditional style of the region, which might partly explain why the fire spread so quickly.

The fire department deployed 76 firefighters, four fire engines, four ambulances to contain the blaze and treat the victims. Forty police officers were also sent to the home.

The fire was quickly brought under control, the statement said.

French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: “In the face of this tragedy, my thoughts are with the victims, the injured and their families. Thank you to our security forces and emergency services.”

Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said on X that she was heading to the site of the fire.

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