Eleven people are missing after a fire broke out at a holiday home for disabled people in eastern France.

Seventeen others were led to safety with one person taken to hospital, local authorities said.

Interior minister Gerald Darmanin said there were likely several casualties after the fire ravaged the cottage, which was hosting the group from Nancy.

The fire broke out at 6.30am in the town of Wintzenheim, which is located in north-eastern France.

Fire and rescue services deployed 76 firefighters, four fire engines and four ambulances following reports of flames, local authorities in Haut-Rhin Préfecture said.

The fire was “quickly brought under control despite the violent flames,” it added.

Mr Darmanin said the fire ravaged most of the building – 300sq m of the 500sq m building – and added that rescue operations were still ongoing.