At least five elderly people are dead and more than 30 unaccounted for after a fire ripped through an old people’s home in Quebec.<br /><br />The fire broke out just after midnight local time (06.30 CET) at the Residence du Havre in L’Isle-Verte around 225km east of Quebec City.<br /><br />Firefighters desperately battled the blaze hampered by minus 20 degrees celsius temperatures, which caused equipment and water to freeze.<br /><br />Most of those who lived in the home used wheelchairs and walking frames. Many also had Alzheimer’s disease.<br /><br />Emergency crews managed to rescue around 20 residents but reported seeing and hearing people trapped inside who they were unable to get to.<br /><br />Investigators have begun searching the ruined building, now covered in large hanging icicles from the fire hoses, looking for the cause of the blaze.<br /><br />Officials say they hope at least some of those unaccounted for had been visiting family.<br /><br />Canada’s prime minister Stephen Harper said there is little doubt the death toll will rise.
