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8 confirmed dead in Quebec fire, about 30 missing
Source: Associated Press
8 confirmed dead in Quebec fire, about 30 missing
AP foreign, Saturday January 25 2014
L'ISLE-VERTE, Quebec (AP) — The painstaking search through the iced-over remains of a burned-out Quebec retirement home resumed Saturday morning, with friends and relatives of some 30 missing people awaiting news. Eight people had been confirmed dead.
As crews used steam Friday to melt thick sheets of ice coating the rubble, Marc-Henri Saindon waited for his mother's body to be recovered. Marie-Jeanne Gagnon, five months shy of her 100th birthday, had moved to the home on New Year's Eve, her son said.
"She really liked it there. She was well treated and she had friends there," Saindon said.
The cause of the massive blaze that swept through the three-story building early Thursday was under investigation, and police asked the public for any videos or photos that might yield clues.
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AP foreign, Saturday January 25 2014
L'ISLE-VERTE, Quebec (AP) — The painstaking search through the iced-over remains of a burned-out Quebec retirement home resumed Saturday morning, with friends and relatives of some 30 missing people awaiting news. Eight people had been confirmed dead.
As crews used steam Friday to melt thick sheets of ice coating the rubble, Marc-Henri Saindon waited for his mother's body to be recovered. Marie-Jeanne Gagnon, five months shy of her 100th birthday, had moved to the home on New Year's Eve, her son said.
"She really liked it there. She was well treated and she had friends there," Saindon said.
The cause of the massive blaze that swept through the three-story building early Thursday was under investigation, and police asked the public for any videos or photos that might yield clues.
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Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/feedarticle/11164194
1 replies
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http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2014/01/24/quebec_seniors_home_fire_search_crews_using_steam_to_melt_ice.html
I'm hearing reports that authorities are now thinking that unsafe smoking in a second story unit may have been the cause.
Sid
L’ISLE-VERTE, QUE.— The grim death toll rose to eight Friday afternoon, after authorities spent a difficult day sifting through the wreckage of the Thursday morning inferno at a seniors’ home in L’Isle-Verte, Que.
Quebec provincial police spokesperson Guy Lapointe said “about 30” people are still missing. Investigators still trying to verify an exact number.
Authorities worked throughout Friday in “very difficult conditions,” said Lapointe, using hot water vapours to melt up to 30 centimetres of ice that formed over victims’ bodies. Crews worked in 40-minute rotations as temperatures hovered around -20C. Police decided to call off the search overnight to allow crews to rest and recuperate, with plans to resume at 7 a.m. Saturday morning.
Quebec provincial police spokesperson Guy Lapointe said “about 30” people are still missing. Investigators still trying to verify an exact number.
Authorities worked throughout Friday in “very difficult conditions,” said Lapointe, using hot water vapours to melt up to 30 centimetres of ice that formed over victims’ bodies. Crews worked in 40-minute rotations as temperatures hovered around -20C. Police decided to call off the search overnight to allow crews to rest and recuperate, with plans to resume at 7 a.m. Saturday morning.
I'm hearing reports that authorities are now thinking that unsafe smoking in a second story unit may have been the cause.
Sid
