the lodging where the disabled were staying had “no authorization”, according to the deputy mayor

The cottage in which 11 people perished on Wednesday in Wintzenheim (Haut-Rhin) had not been the subject of “of no authorizationfor his activity and had not been declared to the town hall, the first deputy mayor of the commune said on Thursday. “It had not been the subject of work permits either to be able to accommodate disabled people.“Daniel Leroy told reporters the day after the fire.

A declaration which follows that of the vice-prosecutor of the Republic of Colmar, Nathalie Kielwasser, who affirmed that “the lodging nhad not undergone the passage of the security commission which is obligatory” And “did not have the characteristics to accommodate the public“, confirming information from local radio France Bleu and the daily Alsace.

An establishment that welcomes the public must request the validation of the safety commission, which has not been undertaken. The commission imposes various arrangements such as the installation of fire doors, the installation of a fire alarm system, or even the arrowing of emergency exits.

Insufficient smoke detectors

“If you want to drive a car, you need a license, if you want to host people, you have to pass this commission which gives you recommendations on the reception capacity, etc. We will impose a number of safety rules on you.“, explained the magistrate.

The building, a recently renovated barn, did have smoke detectors.but not sufficient for this type of structure“, said the representative of the prosecution. “Smoke detectors are up to standard but they are not smoke detectors that are installed in structures housing the public“, she explained.

As investigators continue their investigations,we can not at the moment check whether or not there were fire extinguishers“, she added.

Contract signed for 16 people

The owner of the cottage, who alerted the firefighters on Wednesday at dawn, is in shock and has not been taken into custody.

“It is necessary to legally correlate the reason for the disaster and does it have a link with the safety rules. I do not have the return of the criminal investigations for the moment“Said Nathalie Kielwasser.

The lodge accommodated 28 people in total, including 16 on the floors that burned down. According to the deputy mayor of Wintzenheim, the owner had signed a contract for 16 people. The question of respecting this gauge is “ongoingof expertise specified the magistrate.