Quebec elderly home fire: Eight dead and 24 missing

 

Heather Saul
Saturday 25 January 2014 18:00 GMT
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The fire as it took hold of the building
The fire as it took hold of the building

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

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