Fire in Turkish school dormitory kills 12

ALADAG, Turkey, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Police arrested six staff members Wednesday after a fire in a Aladag, Turkey, school dormitory killed at least 12 people, a public prosecutor said.

The fire, late Tuesday, also injured 22 people in the girls' dormitory of a private secondary school in southeeastern Turkey, and is believed to have been caused by an electrical fault. Adama province Chief Public Prosecutor Ali Yelden said the six taken into custody, and under investigation for possible negligence, include the dormitory manager, three teachers and two caretakers.

Istanbul's Hurryiet Daily News reported Wednesday that 13 people were detained for questioning.

Adana Gov. Mahmut Demitras said 34 people were staying in the dormitory at the time of the fire, and that one of the fatalities was a teacher. He added some of the hospitalized students had smoke inhalation, while others sustained injuries escaping the burning building.

Although Adana Mayor Huseyin Sozlu said a fire exit door in the building was locked, Deputy Prime Minister Veysi Kaynak, quoting the prosecutor, denied there was a lock on the door. A gag order on reporting about the fire was issued.