Equestrian school fire kills nine, including seven teens

A PREDAWN fire swept through an equestrian school in eastern France yesterday, killing seven teenagers and two adults, authorities said.

The victims were sleeping in the building where the fire broke out in Lescheraines, a village north of Chambery, in the Savoie region, officials said. The seven teens, aged between 13 to 15, were from the region but stayed overnight at the school, authorities said.

Sports Minister Jean-Francois Lamour said two adults were killed as well. One person was reported hospitalised with severe burns.