Posted by YouStarNews on YouTube – (CTV) Quebec provincial police confirm that at least three people are dead and 30 others missing after a fire destroyed a seniors home in the town of L’Isle-Verte.
Sgt. Audrey-Anne Bilodeau said police received a call about the fire at around 12:35 a.m. ET. The fire was brought under control at around 5 a.m. ET and is almost out, she told CTV’s Canada AM.
Police have ordered a no-fly zone over the scene of the fire.
Bilodeau said about 20 residents were taken away from the Residence du Havre in L’Isle-Verte, located about 230 kilometres northeast of Quebec City and 30 kilometres east of Riviere-du-Loup. The residents were taken to the local school and the injured were taken to nearby hospitals, she said.
Firefighters, paramedics and police from neighbouring communities were called to the scene to help, she said. The Red Cross is also at the scene.
Luc-Andre Nadeau, a reporter with NRJ 98.7 Est du Quebec, said that about 50 people lived in the residence, which was located in the “heart” of the town.
Built in 1997, the residence had units for both autonomous and semi-autonomous residents. It also contained a social agency, pharmacy and a hair salon.
L’Isle-Verte has a population of about 1,500.
Relatives of the home’s residents are asked to call 418-868-1010 for information. Police have also established an information hotline at 1-800-659-4264.