THE number of girls who died after a fire at a Guatemala children’s shelter rose to 39 Saturday, with several still in critical condition after one of the country’s worst tragedies in recent years.

    Doctors had warned the severity of the burns suffered by many victims put their lives at risk.

    The fire, according to preliminary investigations, was started by some children to protest against alleged sexual and physical assaults at the center. The blaze quickly spread through two dorms.

    In a message to the nation, President Jimmy Morales said he was deeply saddened by the tragedy and that an investigation was probing the causes behind the incident.

    He ordered the dismissal of the director.

    The shelter, located in the Havana municipality of San Jose Pinula, has a capacity of 400 but houses 748 children that include young orphans, victims of violence as well as members of criminal gangs and other offenders.

    (SD-Agencies)