17 dead in rehab fire

At least 17 people have died and 12 others have been injured in a blaze at a drug rehabilitation clinic in Ecuador, according to authorities.

Officials said the fire took hold after patients set mattresses on fire in an attempt to escape the facility in Guayaquil, the country’s biggest city.

Police chief Tania Varela said the centre lacked the necessary permits required to operate.

Officers want to question the owners and operators of the rehabilitation facility.