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| Guatemala children's home blaze 'leaves 19 dead' | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Firefighters in Guatemala say that at least 19 people have died in a blaze at a children's care home about 25km (15 miles) south-east of the capital, Guatemala City. | |
| About 25 others were injured in the fire at the Virgen de Asuncion home in San Jose Pinula. | |
| It is unclear what caused the blaze. | |
| On Tuesday, police intervened after a riot broke out at the home. About 60 children escaped. Some allege they have been mistreated or sexually abused. | |
| Oscar Franco, a spokesman for the volunteer firefighters, told local media: "At least 25 people were injured and transferred to hospitals and we have confirmed 19 bodies." | |
| One police officer said the fire had started with burning mattresses and that the other minors were being taken to safety. | |
| Anxious relatives have gathered outside the shelter. | |
| The children who fled on the eve of the fire said it was due to poor conditions and mistreatment following the riot, which left the facility damaged. | |
| Local reports say the capacity of the home is 400, but that many more children were living there at the time. | |
| The shelter takes in children up to the age of 18 who have suffered abuse or trafficking, or have been abandoned. |