Lima, May 6 (IANS) A massive fire at a drug rehabilitation centre near Peru’s capital Lima killed at least 14 people Saturday, officials said.
The fire broke out on the first floor of the two-storey Sacred Heart Rehabilitation building in Chosica, about 30 km from Lima, trapping most of the inmates, Xinhua reported citing the fire department.
“Most people were on the second floor, in rooms or on the catwalk. They tried to escape but the doors were locked,” said Fernando Campos, commander of the fire department.
The blaze was brought under control, but there was only one survivor, identified as Luis Zevallos Monteagudo. He jumped from the second floor when the other inmates were still sleeping.
The cause of the fire was not known. But sources said it was due to one inmate attempting to escape from the facility. He allegedly ignited a mattress and started the blaze.
In January, a fire killed 30 people in another Lima drug rehabilitation centre.
