Deadly fire at Canadian elderly home

As many as 31 elderly Canadians are unaccounted for and five are confirmed dead after a fire destroyed an old people's home in Quebec.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper said there was little doubt the loss of life at Residence du Havre in L'Isle-Verte would be "considerable".

The blaze was first reported about 00:30 local time (05:30 GMT), 140 miles (225km) east of Quebec City.

Many of the residents used wheelchairs and walking frames, officials said.

Several fire departments from around the region were called to the town of 1,400 to help extinguish the fire. As they battled the blaze, the firefighters saw and heard people in the building whom they were unable to save.

Officials said they hoped at least some of those unaccounted for had been visiting family.

Most of the residents were over 75 years old, and 37 were over 85 years old. Many were infirm and suffering from Alzheimer's disease, and only five were fully mobile and autonomous.