Nearly 80 firefighters were sent to the blaze in Wintzenheim after emergency services were alerted at 06:30 local time on Wednesday, reports BBC.

It appears to have started in a property used by a charity helping young people with disabilities, the British media reported.

17 people have been evacuated from the cottage.

According to reports, one person was taken to hospital.

Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin wrote on X: "A fire took place early this morning in a structure welcoming disabled people in Wintzenheim, in the Haut-Rhin. Despite the rapid and courageous intervention of the firefighters whom I salute, several victims are to be deplored. The intervention continues."