At Least 4 Injured During Detention Center Fire in England
VOA News
15 Feb 2002 11:59 UTC
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British authorities say a fire destroyed part of a detention center for illegal immigrants early Friday, injuring at least four people.

Media reports say the fire at Yarl's Wood center in Bedfordshire, central England was set by refugees to protest the treatment of a woman detainee.

A police spokesman said it was unclear whether any detainees had escaped during the fire and subsequent evacuation of the detention center.

A spokesman for the facility is quoted as saying about 400 people had been housed at the center, which was designed to accommodate up to 900.

Yarl's Wood is a temporary home for detainees who have exhausted their attempts to win asylum in Britain as well as others being returned to their home countries for immigration-related offenses.

Some information for this report provided by AP.

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