Fires Venezuela

Flames consumed a cell in an overcrowded downtown prison early Tuesday, killing at least 26 inmates. It was unclear whether guards or prisoners started the fire. Three guards were detained for questioning after Director of Prisons Antonio Marval said the blaze had been sparked by tear gas canisters that guards threw into the cell. Marval said the three guards had "savagely attacked the prisoners."

National Guardsmen acting out of "wickedness" started a fire in a crowded jail cell that killed at least 25 prisoners, the national prisons director said Wednesday. Three guards at La Planta jail--including Capt. Osmen Martinez, the detachment's leader--fired tear gas and incendiary devices into two adjacent cells shortly after the 6 a.m. roll call on Tuesday, Antonio Marval said after interviewing inmates and jail officials.

Seventeen prisoners suffered minor burns or smoke inhalation Friday in a cellblock fire started by San Carlos inmates protesting their transfer to other jails, prison officials said. Officials said the National Guard surrounded the prison to avert widespread disturbances and the fire was quickly put under control.

A Venezuelan bride, her American husband and nine others in their wedding party died of asphyxiation early Sunday when they became trapped in a hallway as they tried to flee a fire in a luxury hotel. The party was celebrating the marriage of Rosana Fermin, 22, and Christopher Scipione, 24, of Stamford, Conn., at the 550-room Hotel Concorde on the resort island of Margarita.

Seven prisoners died and 22 were injured in a fire during a prison riot in San Felipe, in northern Venezuela, according to prison officials. Ute Morris, secretary general of Yaracuy state, said prisoners who began rioting Sunday had returned to their cells but that police and army troops were maintaining a heavy presence outside the prison. A prison official said the riot began after visiting hours when a group of inmates refused to undergo the required searches before re-entering their cells.

National Guardsmen acting out of "wickedness" started a fire in a crowded jail cell that killed at least 25 prisoners, the national prisons director said Wednesday. Three guards at La Planta jail--including Capt. Osmen Martinez, the detachment's leader--fired tear gas and incendiary devices into two adjacent cells shortly after the 6 a.m. roll call on Tuesday, Antonio Marval said after interviewing inmates and jail officials.

Flames consumed a cell in an overcrowded downtown prison early Tuesday, killing at least 26 inmates. It was unclear whether guards or prisoners started the fire. Three guards were detained for questioning after Director of Prisons Antonio Marval said the blaze had been sparked by tear gas canisters that guards threw into the cell. Marval said the three guards had "savagely attacked the prisoners."

Seventeen prisoners suffered minor burns or smoke inhalation Friday in a cellblock fire started by San Carlos inmates protesting their transfer to other jails, prison officials said. Officials said the National Guard surrounded the prison to avert widespread disturbances and the fire was quickly put under control.

Seven prisoners died and 22 were injured in a fire during a prison riot in San Felipe, in northern Venezuela, according to prison officials. Ute Morris, secretary general of Yaracuy state, said prisoners who began rioting Sunday had returned to their cells but that police and army troops were maintaining a heavy presence outside the prison. A prison official said the riot began after visiting hours when a group of inmates refused to undergo the required searches before re-entering their cells.

A Venezuelan bride, her American husband and nine others in their wedding party died of asphyxiation early Sunday when they became trapped in a hallway as they tried to flee a fire in a luxury hotel. The party was celebrating the marriage of Rosana Fermin, 22, and Christopher Scipione, 24, of Stamford, Conn., at the 550-room Hotel Concorde on the resort island of Margarita.