Seven teenagers and two adults were believed to have died Thursday when a fire swept through a riding school in the Savoie department of south-east France overnight, police said.
Emergency workers picking through the debris of the buildings had discovered the remains of six bodies and were awaiting the completion of their task before officially confirming the toll. A team of experts was sent from Paris to help with identification. One woman teacher was taken to hospital suffering from severe burns.
The fire broke out at around 3.30 am at the Les Bauges riding school near the village of Lescheraines, and swept through the wooden building where the victims were sleeping. The blaze was brought under control after three hours.
"All theories are possible: recent construction work, a cigarette, a storm," said state prosecutor Caroline Gontran who was to open a judicial enquiry.
Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, who was on holiday in the area, visited the scene. "As soon as I heard the news at six this morning I set out to express the solidarity of the nation with the people affected by this tragedy," he said. President Jacques Chirac issued a statement saying that "The tragic death of these young adolescents and their leaders is a sadness which moves all French people very deeply."
Psychological counselling was being offered to the victims' families at the scene. The horses, located in the nearby stables, were unhurt.
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