The Xinhua General News Service
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — The deadly fire in a Honduran prison that killed at least 360 people last week had been caused by an accident, a team of experts from the United States’ Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said Tuesday.
“Based on the discoveries made by the International Response Team, the cause of the fire might have been an open flame,” said the report on the team’s findings which was released by the U.S. Embassy in Honduras.
It said it was likely to have been caused by a cigarette, but could also have been caused by a lighter or matches.
While the actual source of ignition had not been recovered it is believed the fire might have begun on the top floor Unit Six at the prison located in the Comayagua town in central Honduras.
“During the investigation, the IRT was able to dismiss other possible causes of the fire, such as a lightning, electric failures or the use of inflammable chemicals or fuel,” said the report.
The fire, which occurred last Tuesday, was the deadliest ever prison fire in the world in the past century and the tragedy has sparked calls for governments across Latin America to take swift action and deal with the conditions of massive overcrowding.
“The United States urges for quick action to elaborate and deal with the necessary reforms to guarantee the security, the health and the human rights of the Honduran prisoners to prevent similar tragedies in the future,” said the report.
The IRT is preparing an official report that will be submitted to the U.S. Embassy in Honduras, which then will be submitted later to the Honduran government.
Copyright 2012 Xinhua News Agency