The search was hampered because the water used by the firefighters froze in a short time at the low temperature and up to 30 centimeters of ice is covering the wreckage.
The Mayor Ginette Caron explained that the retirement house offered special services for people using walkers or aren’t mobile, most of them suffering from the late stages of Alzheimers.
The Red Cross set up a shelter at a local school for the persons rescued. The real number of the victims is not known because the search was not finished.
The Premier Pauline Marois promised the government help or the victims and their community. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the injured and the families and friends of those lost in this morning’s horrible fire in L’Isle Verte” transmitted Prime Minister Stephen Harper during his visit to the Middle East.
