The fire safety rules had not been followed at the holiday home in Vendeneme, Alsacewhich housed people with mental disabilities that burned down yesterday leading to the death of 11 peopleannounced the deputy prosecutor of the district of Colmar.

“The safety committee had not inspected the holiday home, although it was mandatory” and the building “did not have the necessary features to host people,” announced Natalie Kilwasser.

The building, an old farmhouse that had recently been renovated, had smoke detectors, but not enough for this type of construction, and it is not currently possible to ascertain whether there were any fire extinguishers as investigations are ongoing.

The homeowner, who called the fire department early yesterday, is in shock and has not been taken into custody.

The deputy prosecutor explained that the investigation will show whether there is a connection between the cause of the fire and the observance of safety rules.

The vacation home housed 28 people, 16 of whom were on the floors that burned. The building was rented by two organizations dealing with people with intellectual disabilities. The mayor of Polichni stated that the owner of the place had signed a contract to host 16 people.

The occupants were surprised while sleeping. Eleven people lost their lives, among them ten adults with mental disabilities and one companion. Seventeen were rescued.

The disaster is the deadliest in France since a bar fire in Rouen in 2016.