Thirty-one children die in fire at day care centre

A fast-moving fire killed 31 children in a day care centre in northern Mexico, despite desperate attempts of firefighters who punched through the walls and fought their way through flames to rescue babies, toddlers and others trapped inside.

At least 25 children and five employees were hospitalised after yesterday’s fire in ABC day care in the city of Hermosillo, said Jose Larrinaga, a spokesman for investigators in the state of Sonora, which borders Arizona.

Some of the injured suffered severe burns and might be taken to US hospitals, Sonora Governor Eduardo Bours said.

“For now, we’re concentrating on saving as many kids as possible,” he said.

There were about 100 children in the day care at the time, with ages ranging from six months to five years, said Guadalupe Ayala, co-ordinator of Red Cross rescue workers.

“Firefighters had to knock holes in the walls to get the children,” he said.

Authorities have identified 27 of the 31 children killed.

Officials believe the fire may have started at a neighbouring tyre and car warehouse. Firefighters took two hours to control the blaze, the cause of which was still unconfirmed.

Most the children died from asphyxiation or smoke inhalation.

Neighbours rushed to help pull out the children as screaming teachers ran through thick clouds of black smoke, Reforma newspaper reported.

Sobbing parents flooded hospitals, desperate for news about their children.

Photographs showed the sidewalk outside the centre strewn with upturned, slightly blackened baby seats and cribs. Cribs could also be seen through huge holes punched through the walls.

The Mexican government sent a team of 15 burn specialists, three air ambulances, and other medical equipment, President Felipe Calderon said.

Mr Calderon said he ordered an investigation by Mexico’s attorney general.