Fire kills 26 in Peru rehab clinic
- 12 years ago
PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS GRAPHIC MATERIAL
Twenty-six people were killed as a fire swept through a drug rehab clinic in Lima.
The fire broke out early on Saturday, and a patient said it was deliberately started by two patients who were trying to escape.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) WILMER GARCIA, PATIENT, SAYING:
"Some brothers wanted to escape, so they threw a candle at the place and the fire started and then started inside."
Another patient said the fire started just before bedtime.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PAUL FERNANDEZ, PATIENT, SAYING:
"Just as we were getting into bed, we went to the window and saw that the couches downstairs were burning."
Families of the victims were outside the clinic, distraught.
Local media said firefighters had to punch through the clinic's walls to rescue the patients. At least 10 firemen were injured.
Bodies of the victims were taken from the building, and an investigation in underway.
Lima's mayor said the rehab center did not carry an operating licence.
At least 15 injured survivors were rushed to a hospital, but three of them have died.
Michaela Cabrera, Reuters
Twenty-six people were killed as a fire swept through a drug rehab clinic in Lima.
The fire broke out early on Saturday, and a patient said it was deliberately started by two patients who were trying to escape.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) WILMER GARCIA, PATIENT, SAYING:
"Some brothers wanted to escape, so they threw a candle at the place and the fire started and then started inside."
Another patient said the fire started just before bedtime.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PAUL FERNANDEZ, PATIENT, SAYING:
"Just as we were getting into bed, we went to the window and saw that the couches downstairs were burning."
Families of the victims were outside the clinic, distraught.
Local media said firefighters had to punch through the clinic's walls to rescue the patients. At least 10 firemen were injured.
Bodies of the victims were taken from the building, and an investigation in underway.
Lima's mayor said the rehab center did not carry an operating licence.
At least 15 injured survivors were rushed to a hospital, but three of them have died.
Michaela Cabrera, Reuters