Fatal fire in Charente. The trip organizer defends himself: "The survivors are shocked, devastated. It's beyond what we can imagine."

The organizer of the adapted stay in Montmoreau, Charente, where a fire in a gîte caused the deaths of five people, spoke out after the tragedy. He believes that all safety conditions were respected. He pays tribute to the owners, "committed to welcoming people with disabilities."

The fire in Montmoreau, in South Charente, of unknown origin, devastated the Chez Gros Jean gîte on Monday, July 28 , causing the deaths of five people , the owner of the property and four vacationers with mental disabilities. This tragedy has caused great emotion among associations of users with disabilities. The latter are calling for better security in reception areas. The organizer of the stay in Charente, the director of the UFCV association, Erland Egiziano , denies any frivolity.

In what context did the UFCV association organize the stay of eight people with disabilities in this gîte in Montmoreau?

We are a community education association. We have been training activity leaders and leading camps and adapted stays for people with disabilities for over forty years. We send 5,000 disabled vacationers each year. We have approved 400 accommodations throughout France. We select them based on the vacationers' level of independence.

Did you usually send holidaymakers to this cottage?

Yes, for three years, at a rate of about fifteen stays per year. The couple was very involved with our association and had been welcoming disabled vacationers for a very long time.

Were the supervisors sufficiently trained?

Given the holidaymakers' severe disability, severe autism, we selected an experienced supervisory team. They hold a BAFA (Bafa) qualification and have undergone specific in-house training. The owner of the property was part of the supervisory team. Everyone was very close-knit.

Was the accommodation up to standard?

Yes. It's one of the lodgings we use the most, in both summer and winter. The premises are perfectly adapted for all types of disabilities. The bedrooms and bathrooms are located on the ground floor. The smoke detectors and fire extinguishers were in use. Work was carried out three years ago. The government services inspected the building two years ago, as did our services.

Charlotte Parmentier-Lecocq, Minister for Disability Affairs, said on Monday that only one part of the building had been checked and that the fire started in a second part.

This is not correct (1). The entire building was inspected in 2023. I have reread the inspection reports several times. The fire alarm system worked. Everything was compliant.

How are the survivors doing?

A vacationer is still hospitalized in Angoulême. Three supervisors have been discharged. They are deeply shocked and devastated. It's beyond what anyone can imagine. They have been taken into care by an emergency psychological unit. Our association's psychologist will monitor them long-term.

We are the leading operator in France, we leave nothing to chance. We focus on safety and quality."

Who are the vacationers?

They are disabled adults aged 30 to 73. The deceased are aged 33 to 64. The two oldest people, who could use a walking frame outdoors, are among the survivors. They live the rest of the year in adapted structures in Dordogne, in Guéret, Saint-Jean-d'Angély, Saintes and Châtellerault.

Does your association bear any responsibility for this tragedy?

We have all the necessary permits to accommodate this particular audience. These stays would not have existed for forty years if this were not the case. We are the leading operator in France; we leave nothing to chance. We emphasize safety and quality.

Do you know the cause of the fire?

No. The investigation will tell. All I know is that the UFCV is a serious organization that does everything possible to ensure the safety of vacationers and support staff. It's them I'm thinking of today. There are other vacationers, volunteers, and employees preparing to leave. I imagine it must be difficult to pack your suitcase today. But life goes on, like after a plane crash or a road accident. Our mission is to offer a break to people whose lives are punctuated solely by the care and constraints of the institution.

Some voices are saying that the lessons of the 2023 Wintzenheim fire tragedy, another fire in which eleven people lost their lives, have not been learned.

I don't agree. But it's better to let the emotion subside.

The UFCV is a serious organization that does everything possible to ensure the safety of vacationers and support teams.

(1) The Charente prefecture confirms the minister's version and specifies that "the second building was not declared for hosting stays until 2025 and had not yet been visited."