Two killed in horror blaze at William’s top ski resort
Loughrigg Fell in the Lakes yesterday POLICE are investigating a horrific fire which killed two and left 22 others injured at an exclusive ski village yesterday.
The Courchevel 1850 resort, in eastern France, is popular with British celebrities and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
The fire broke out in a building said to house seasonal workers, including youngsters.
Two bodies were found under rubble but have yet to be identified. Four are said to be seriously injured.
Two were saved after jumping from a third-floor window where people were waiting below to cushion their fall.
The most seriously injured were airlifted to hospital by helicopter while others were treated at the scene.
Some 70 firefighters were involved in the operation to extinguish the blaze and about 60 people evacuated from the building were moved to a nearby sports hall.
There were claims last night that the building was now unsafe. One witness said: “I live right in front of the building, and was the first on the scene. We saved two people who jumped from the third floor. Four or five other people were waiting to cushion the fall.”
The building belongs to the Tournier Group, the luxury leisure company which runs several hotels, bars and restaurants in Courchevel. There was no comment from Tournier last night but local officials confirmed it was an old hotel converted to house Tournier staff.
Philippe Mugnier, the mayor of Courchevel, said an application had just been made for renovations, but the work was not due to start until the spring.
Local government official Frederic Loiseau said the identities of those killed had not yet been established, adding: “In the case of those seriously injured, it’s impossible to specify whether their injuries came from falling.
“Because the fire was on the third floor, some people jumped to save their lives,” he said.
“There were carbon monoxide emissions and there were burns.”
He said local prosecutors and police investigators, who had cordoned off the area, would now launch an investigation into what had started the fire.