8 confirmed dead in Quebec fire, 24 missing

Associated Press

L'ISLE-VERTE, Quebec (AP) — Police say eight people are dead and another 24 are missing after a fire at a seniors' residence in Quebec.

Quebec Provincial Police Lt. Guy Lapointe at a Saturday news conference lowered the number of missing from about 30 to 24 based on more detailed information.

All of the missing are presumed dead after a massive blaze swept through the three-story building in L'Isle-Verte northeast of Quebec City early Thursday.

The confirmed death toll remains at eight as crews on Saturday morning resumed the painstaking search through the iced-over remains of the burned-out retirement home.

Lapointe says police have formally identified two of the victims, with their names to be released later Saturday.