Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Quebec elderly home fire: Eight dead and 24 missing

 

Heather Saul
Saturday 25 January 2014 18:00 GMT
Comments
The fire as it took hold of the building
The fire as it took hold of the building (CBC News )

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Police in Quebec say a fire at a seniors' residence in Quebec has left eight dead and 24 missing.

Quebec Provincial Police Lt. Guy Lapointe at a Saturday news conference lowered the number of missing from about 30 to 24 based on more detailed information.

All of the missing are presumed dead after a blaze broke out at the 52-unit complex at 12.30am ET in L'Isle-Verte, about 140 miles northeast of Quebec City.

Deadly fire at Canada elderly home: Three dead and 30 missing in Quebec

More than 50 people lived in the building which also housed a social agency, a pharmacy and a hair salon.

Several fire departments in the region were called in to help extinguish the blaze, which completely destroyed the building.

The confirmed death toll remains at eight as crews on Saturday morning resumed the painstaking search through the iced-over remains of the burned-out retirement home.

Mr Lapointe said police have formally identified two of the victims and their names will be released later today.

Additional reporting by agency

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in