Lima, October 17 (IANS). At least five people died and more than 12 were injured in a fire in a prison in the Peruvian city of Huancayo.
The National Penitentiary Institute (INPE) said on Wednesday that the fire broke out in the shoe workshop of Pavilion 2 of Huancayo prison at 9:30 pm local time on Tuesday. Due to this, five people died of suffocation.
According to the report of Xinhua news agency, after getting information about the situation, the security personnel informed the local fire brigade personnel. At least 30 firefighters, along with ambulances and support vehicles, reached the spot.
According to the INPE statement, the rescue operation also included 100 officers of the Peruvian National Police, an on-duty prosecutor, emergency medical services and ambulances from other departments.
INPE said that in accordance with established security protocols, the prisoners in Pavilion Two have been evacuated to a safe place. The cause of the fire is being investigated.
The fire is believed to have been caused by a short circuit in a shoe workshop, which became more serious due to the presence of flammable materials, private broadcaster Exitosa reported.
–IANS
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