11 Dead in Alsace Hostel Fire: Candle Left Burning by Victim Likely Cause

A fire at a hostel in Wintzenheim, Alsace, on August 9, 2023, was likely caused by a candle left burning by a deceased animator, who later tried to rescue others. The fire resulted in eleven deaths, including ten adults with mental disabilities and one caregiver, while 17 people escaped. Authorities are separately investigating the fire’s cause and the safety conditions of the building, which had not undergone a safety inspection. The owner and management company are being prosecuted for involuntary homicides and injuries.