Eleven people are missing after a fire at a French holiday home for the disabled

People who escaped the fire slept on the ground floor. Photo: AFP. holiday home for people with learning difficulties overnight in Alsace, eastern France.

Police reported that 17 of the 28 people living in the holiday home in the village of Winzenheim lived in rooms on the ground floor, allowing them to flee.

Christophe Marot, head of the prefecture of the state of Haut-Rhin, said: «At present, eleven people have potentially died.»

«Unfortunately, there is no doubt: all these people, those who were in the house could not get out.”

The eleven that have not yet been counted include one warden and ten adults with mild learning difficulties, Mr Marot said, adding that for now there was «no evidence» of what caused the fire.

< p>Vacationers come from the city of Nancy, eastern France.

The building is a converted timber-framed Alsatian-style barn with steeply pitched roofs. According to firefighters, the fire spread throughout the building and the roof was completely burned.

The canine rescue team was called. to find people in the building. Photo: AFPThe owner of the house, who lives nearby, called the authorities early in the morning. Photo: AFP

The owner of the house, who lives nearby, sounded the alarm at 6:33 am on Wednesday, and firefighters arrived on the scene just 12 minutes later. later.

«The fire was quickly brought under control despite the intense flames,» Mr. Maro said in a statement, which confirmed the death toll was undoubtedly higher than the firefighters' estimate of seven. . earlier.

Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said the fire had destroyed most of the building and added that rescue operations were still ongoing.

Cynological rescue squad also arrived on the scene. .

Colmar's public prosecutor's office has opened a judicial investigation.

French Prime Minister Elisabeth Born said she was on her way to the area after the «terrible fire» to show support for the victims.

“My first thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones,” she said. “I welcome the mobilization of the fire services,” she added.