This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/08/world/americas/guatemala-fire-childrens-shelter.html

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Fire at Guatemala Child Shelter Kills Nearly 20 Fire at Guatemala Children’s Shelter Kills Nearly 20
(35 minutes later)
At least 19 people have been found dead at the scene of a fire in a shelter for children near Guatemala City, the spokesman for Guatemala’s volunteer fire departments said Wednesday. At least 19 people have been found dead at the scene of a fire in a shelter for children near Guatemala City, a spokesman for Guatemala’s volunteer fire departments said on Wednesday.
The spokesman, Mario Cruz, told the Emisoras Unidas radio station that firefighters were still extinguishing parts of the morning blaze. The spokesman, Mario Cruz, told the radio station Emisoras Unidas that firefighters were still extinguishing parts of the morning blaze.
But he said that so far 19 bodies have been found and about two dozen people were being treated for injuries. But he said that so far 19 bodies had been found and about two dozen people were being treated for injuries.
Dr. Carlos Soto, the director of the Roosevelt Hospital where some were being treated, said the most severe cases, all apparently girls, had suffered life-threatening burns. Dr. Carlos Soto, the director of the Roosevelt Hospital, where some were being treated, said the most severe cases, all apparently girls, had suffered life-threatening burns.
The shelter has been criticized for overcrowding, suspected abuse and escapes in the past. The shelter has been criticized for overcrowding, suspicions of abuse and escapes in the past.
The prosecutor for children’s rights, Abner Paredes, said initial reports suggested the fire started when some residents started setting fire to mattresses in the shelter, known as the Virgin of the Assumption Safe Home.The prosecutor for children’s rights, Abner Paredes, said initial reports suggested the fire started when some residents started setting fire to mattresses in the shelter, known as the Virgin of the Assumption Safe Home.
There were reports of escape attempts Tuesday at the shelter, which was created to house children who were victims of abuse, homelessness or who had completed sentences at youth detention centers and had nowhere else to go. There were reports of escape attempts on Tuesday at the shelter, which was created to house children who were victims of abuse, homelessness or who had completed sentences at youth detention centers and had nowhere else to go.
While the shelter was built to house 500 children and adolescents, it held an estimated 800 at the time of the fire.While the shelter was built to house 500 children and adolescents, it held an estimated 800 at the time of the fire.