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Deadly fire at L'Isle-Verte home for the elderly Deadly fire at L'Isle-Verte home for the elderly
(about 5 hours later)
As many as 31 elderly Canadians are unaccounted for and five are confirmed dead after a fire destroyed an old people's home in Quebec.As many as 31 elderly Canadians are unaccounted for and five are confirmed dead after a fire destroyed an old people's home in Quebec.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper said there was little doubt the loss of life at Residence du Havre in L'Isle-Verte would be "considerable".Prime Minister Stephen Harper said there was little doubt the loss of life at Residence du Havre in L'Isle-Verte would be "considerable".
The blaze was first reported about 00:30 local time (05:30 GMT), 140 miles (225km) east of Quebec City. The blaze was first reported about 00:30 local time (05:30 GMT).
Many of the residents used wheelchairs and walking frames, officials said. Firefighters, who arrived within eight minutes of being called, saw and heard residents they were unable to save.
Several fire departments from around the region were called to the town of 1,400 to help extinguish the fire. As they battled the blaze, the firefighters saw and heard people in the building whom they were unable to save. Many of the residents were users of wheelchairs and walking frames, officials said.
It was "a night from hell", local chief firefighter Yvon Charron told the Canadian Press.It was "a night from hell", local chief firefighter Yvon Charron told the Canadian Press.
Emergency crews were able to save about 20 of the home's 50-60 residents, three of whom were injured.Emergency crews were able to save about 20 of the home's 50-60 residents, three of whom were injured.
Rescue efforts were slowed by frigid temperatures on Thursday evening, however, as authorities searched the ruined home covered in a layer of ice from the fire hoses. 'Burned to death'
Firefighters battled the blaze for five hours in temperatures as low as minus 22 Celsius (minus 7.6 Fahrenheit) -- freezing conditions that have continued to hamper rescue efforts.
Officials said they hoped at least some of those unaccounted for had been visiting family.Officials said they hoped at least some of those unaccounted for had been visiting family.
"We hope for the best," police Sgt Audrey-Annie Bilodeau told reporters."We hope for the best," police Sgt Audrey-Annie Bilodeau told reporters.
'Night from hell' Several fire departments were called to the town of 1,400 - 225km (140 miles) east of Quebec City - to help extinguish the fire, which was fanned by strong winds.
Most of the residents were over 75 years old, and 37 were over 85 years old. Many were infirm and suffering from Alzheimer's disease, and only five were fully mobile and autonomous, L'Isle-Verte's acting Mayor Ginette Caron told reporters.Most of the residents were over 75 years old, and 37 were over 85 years old. Many were infirm and suffering from Alzheimer's disease, and only five were fully mobile and autonomous, L'Isle-Verte's acting Mayor Ginette Caron told reporters.
"All our thoughts are with the families, the people affected by this ordeal," Ms Caron said."All our thoughts are with the families, the people affected by this ordeal," Ms Caron said.
Witnesses described scenes of horror, watching the building burn and knowing elderly residents were trapped inside.Witnesses described scenes of horror, watching the building burn and knowing elderly residents were trapped inside.
Mario Michaud, who lives across the street, told the local newspaper Info Dimanche he watched a man try but fail to rescue his mother, who was shouting for help from a second-storey balcony.Mario Michaud, who lives across the street, told the local newspaper Info Dimanche he watched a man try but fail to rescue his mother, who was shouting for help from a second-storey balcony.
"She burned to death," Mr Michaud said."She burned to death," Mr Michaud said.
'It's just reality'
Another man, Jacques Berube, told the Associated Press he feared the worst for his missing mother, Adrienne Dube, 99 years old and blind.Another man, Jacques Berube, told the Associated Press he feared the worst for his missing mother, Adrienne Dube, 99 years old and blind.
"I went near the building; the corner where her room was is burned," he said. "I'll just have to wait and see. I don't like it. But I don't have any choice. It's just reality.""I went near the building; the corner where her room was is burned," he said. "I'll just have to wait and see. I don't like it. But I don't have any choice. It's just reality."
Retired police officer Pierre Filion, who had a cousin and an aunt living in the residence and who lives nearby, said the tragedy had shaken the tightly knit community.
"It's going to take a long time to start living normally," said Filion, whose missing relatives are both in their 70s.
Meanwhile, investigators have begun searching for the cause of the blaze.Meanwhile, investigators have begun searching for the cause of the blaze.
A recent Quebec health department document suggested the building was only partially fitted with a sprinkler system, but there were smoke detectors in every room and in the building itself. A recent Quebec health department document suggested that only parts of the building, which was made entirely of wood, had a sprinkler system, but that there were smoke detectors in every room.
Quebec Minister of Labour and Social Solidarity Agnès Maltais told reporters on Thursday the government planned to consider incorporating sprinklers into new rules in the future. Quebec Minister of Labour and Social Solidarity Agnès Maltais told reporters on Thursday the government would consider making sprinklers compulsory.
"We believe [seniors] are well-protected but we always have to tighten the rules each time we see there's a failure somewhere," she said."We believe [seniors] are well-protected but we always have to tighten the rules each time we see there's a failure somewhere," she said.
"We're waiting for the result of the inquiry… to understand where the failure is.""We're waiting for the result of the inquiry… to understand where the failure is."
Prime Minister Stephen Harper, travelling in the Middle East this week, said in a statement he offered his "sincere condolences to the family and friends of those who passed away". Jean-Pierre Ouellet of the FTQ labor union told Radio Canada that regulations for seniors' homes were not strict enough.
"We can keep some hope for those unaccounted for, but there's very little doubt that the loss of life is considerable," Mr Harper said, as quoted by the Associated Press news agency. Quebec Premier Pauline Marois expressed her sympathy for victims from Davos in Switzerland, where she is attending the World Economic Forum.
Quebec Premier Pauline Marois also expressed her sympathy for victims from Davos, Switzerland, where she is attending the World Economic Forum.
"I want to offer my deepest condolences to all the families who have lost someone," Ms Marois said. "My government will do everything it can to help people there.""I want to offer my deepest condolences to all the families who have lost someone," Ms Marois said. "My government will do everything it can to help people there."
The worst-ever fire in a Canadian nursing home occurred in Notre-Dame-du-Lac in Quebec, in 1969, when 54 people died.
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