Quebec fire search hampered by cold
BBC | Friday, 24 January 2014
The bitter cold is hindering the search for as many as 30 elderly and infirm Canadians unaccounted for after a fire destroyed a Quebec old people's home.
Crews are struggling in temperatures of -21C (-6F) in L'Isle-Verte, a day after five people were confirmed killed in the blaze.
The ruins of Residence du Havre have collapsed and are frozen over with a thick layer of ice from the fire hoses. Many of the missing were dependent on wheelchairs and walking frames.
The deadly fire broke out about 00:30 local time (05:30 GMT) on Thursday.
Several fire departments were called to the town of 1,500 - 225km (140 miles) east of Quebec City - to help extinguish the fire, which was fanned by strong winds.
Emergency crews were able to save about 20 of the home's 52 residents.