It was chaos and confusion at the Camp Street Prison yesterday as the terrified families of prisoners housed at the facility tried to find out if their loved ones were among those who had died or been injured in the fire which had razed a section of the facility.
As the charred bodies of the dead men were removed the hundreds who had swarmed the compound begged for some official word.
In the absence of this information, rumours flew and emotions were high.
Some questioned how the authorities allowed the fire to consume a large section of the building.
It was not until late yesterday afternoon that several families were allowed into the prisons officers’ quarters to check a list of the fire victims for their relative’s name.
This proved a blessing for some who were able to leave the building opposite the prison complex exhaling in relief.
“Thank God!” one woman said, “is not he dead! He name not on the list!”
Other families saw some members become inconsolable when it was confirmed that one of their number had
