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Guatemala children's home blaze 'leaves 19 dead' Guatemala children's home blaze 'leaves 19 dead'
(about 1 hour 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.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 shelter in San Jose Pinula.About 25 others were injured in the fire at the Virgen de Asuncion shelter in San Jose Pinula.
It is unclear what caused the blaze.It is unclear what caused the blaze.
On Tuesday, police intervened after a riot broke out at the home. About 60 children escaped. Some alleged they had been mistreated or sexually abused.On Tuesday, police intervened after a riot broke out at the home. About 60 children escaped. Some alleged they had 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."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."
It was not made clear how many children were among the dead.
'Over-capacity''Over-capacity'
The fire ripped through the facility in minutes.The fire ripped through the facility in minutes.
Firefighters battled to contain the flames as desperate family members arrived at the scene to try to find their loved ones.Firefighters battled to contain the flames as desperate family members arrived at the scene to try to find their loved ones.
One police officer said the fire had started with burning mattresses in one of the bedrooms and that the other minors were being taken to safety.One police officer said the fire had started with burning mattresses in one of the bedrooms and that the other minors were being taken to safety.
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.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.
The UN children's fund in Guatemala said on Twitter it "condemns the tragedy at the Virgin of the Assumption Home. These children and adolescents must be protected."The UN children's fund in Guatemala said on Twitter it "condemns the tragedy at the Virgin of the Assumption Home. These children and adolescents must be protected."
Local reports say the capacity of the home is 400, but that many more children were living there at the time.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.The shelter takes in children up to the age of 18 who have suffered abuse or trafficking, or have been abandoned.
But local media say the shelter was also functioning as a juvenile detention centre, to which judges were sending adolescents involved in criminal cases.But local media say the shelter was also functioning as a juvenile detention centre, to which judges were sending adolescents involved in criminal cases.
A deadly fire at a children's home in Mexico in 2009 left 49 dead.A deadly fire at a children's home in Mexico in 2009 left 49 dead.