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An injured inmate is carried as he arrives at the hospital after a fire broke out at the prison in Comayagua, Honduras, early Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Fernando Antonio)

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Official: 272 confirmed dead in Honduras jail fire

300 inmates not accounted for

Updated: Wednesday, 15 Feb 2012, 4:03 PM CST
Published : Wednesday, 15 Feb 2012, 5:40 AM CST

FREDDY CUEVAS,Associated Press

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) — A Honduran fire chief says his crews were forced to wait outside as a deadly fire swept through a prison because guards thought they had a riot on their hands.

Photos: Deadly prison fire in Honduras

Fire Chief Leonel Silva says rescuers waited for half an hour listening to gunfire while screaming prisoners burned to death or suffocated locked in their cells.

Officials have confirmed 272 dead. Authorities initially said that more than 300 of 852 inmates were not accounted for.

The fire was set by an inmate about 11 p.m. local time Tuesday, according to witnesses.