Guatemala youth shelter fire 'started as protest against abuse'

A blaze that killed at least 35 girls at a shelter for troubled youths erupted when some of them set fire to mattresses to protest against mistreatment at the badly overcrowded institution, the parent of one victim has said.

Officials said they are still investigating who started the fire at the long-criticised shelter on the outskirts of Guatemala's capital. It houses troubled and abused boys and girls as well as juvenile offenders.