Prosecutor Investigates Negligent Homicide in Alsatian Fire Incident
The prosecutor’s office is conducting an investigation into suspected negligent homicide following a fire in Alsace. It is possible that regulations were not adhered to, further suggesting safety deficiencies.
After a fire at a holiday accommodation in Alsace that claimed the lives of eleven people, the prosecutor’s office in Paris has launched an investigation into suspected negligent homicide and negligent bodily harm. The prosecutor’s office stated that certain safety regulations may not have been followed, and the cause of the fire must first be determined.
Due to the scope of the investigation and the fact that the victims came from all over France, a special unit in Paris is handling the case, rather than the local authority.
On Wednesday morning at around 6:30 am, the holiday accommodation in Wintzenheim, located approximately 50 kilometers from Freiburg, caught fire. At the time, two groups of individuals with mild intellectual disabilities were present in the building. Seventeen people managed to escape, one of whom was injured. Eleven people lost their lives, with ten of the victims reportedly hailing from eastern France’s Lorraine region, and one victim from Alsace. Doubts about Safety Precautions
French media recently reported that the accommodation in Wintzenheim may not have had sufficient or the appropriate fire alarms. Establishments that accommodate guests are responsible for adhering to safety rules, as stated by French authorities, and these are verified through various inspections. The deputy mayor of Wintzenheim, Daniel Leroy, stated that the building was still registered for agricultural purposes and should not have been hosting guests.
Investigators currently believe that there was a smoldering fire. The accommodation partly consists of half-timbered structures, and it is believed that the wood only ignited after several hours. Approximately 300 out of 500 square meters were consumed by the fire.
Source: DW.com
