Teenager is tenth victim of disco blaze

A second 13-year-old girl has died following the New Year's Day disco blaze in the Netherlands.

Sharon Sombroek has been identified as the tenth victim of the fire at a harbourside party complex in Volendam.

Most of those who died were teenagers. Funerals of the ten victims are set for tomorrow and the weekend.

City officials feared the death toll could rise further, saying 90 people are still in hospital with severe burn wounds and smoke inhalation trauma, including 16 in critical condition.

The cafe's owner, Jan Veerman, told Dutch media yesterday that there were three emergency exits and that he couldn't understand why only one had been used.

Police are waiting to question Veerman whose nephew also died in the blaze while working as a barman.

The Dutch government has said it is now considering stiffer fire safety rules for festive clothing.

Doctors have said that the flammability of party clothing exacerbated the injuries.

Flimsy synthetic dresses and evening gowns melted onto the skins of the young revellers.