350 dead in Honduras prison fire

Tegucigalpa : At least 350 prisoners have been killed in a blaze that broke out at a jail in the central American nation of Honduras, Xinhua reported.

The prison, with around 800 inmates, is located in Comayagua town. Officials fear the toll could go beyond 400.

The fire reportedly started after there was shooting inside the jail late Tuesday, fire department spokesman Josue Garcia said Wednesday.

Many inmates were burnt to death or suffocated in their cells because the guard who had the keys could not be reached.

Several inmates escaped as the prison was engulfed in flames.