44. The youths in cell No. 2 who were interviewed after the events agree in the essentials of these events. They stated: "We wanted to talk to the warden so [at] meal time we all ran outside and went on strike,"81 where inmate Pulgarita threatened the teacher "with a [sharp improvised weapon]."82 They maintained that they only reached cell No. 3, when the teachers reached them "and they calmed us down, and put us back inside the cell." They added that acting warden Romero, who had been speaking with them when the guide Chirinos came to cell No. 2 to say "the boys in room four are burning." 83 Some of the inmates in Cell No. 2 stated that the teachers "went down the corridor and looked for water buckets, but the boys were burned because [Chirinos], instead of opening the door, ran into the hallway screaming that cell four is burning."84 Carlos Martes, an inmate who helped with cleaning, said that guide Chirinos took "about five minutes" to help them after hearing the victims shouting. 85 For his part, acting warden Romero estimated that it took about three minutes to get from cell No. 2 to No. 4 after being informed of the situation by Chirinos. 86 45. For his part, the guide Chirinos argued that there was no time to effectively assist the victims. In his version, while the youths of No. 2 surrounded him, "I heard them calling me from [No. 4] asking for help, saying uncle Chirinos save us, we are burning."87 He stated that on breaking free he came running and saw the magnitude of the flames coming out of the cell door and spreading on the inside, so he shouted and asked the warden and guide Gomez for help to bring the keys. He added that he called inmate Carlos Martes, who threw water on the mattresses and that "what he did see was that he could not control it easily, because of the pile of mattresses [and other belongings]." 88 Acting warden Romero stated that "we do not have extinguishers, we did what we could, that's all I can say."89 46. From the statements of the guides Chirinos and Gómez, from the acting warden Romero and from the youth Carlos Martes, it is clear that they tried to extinguish the fire with buckets of water, without success. Carlos Martes managed to open the bars of the cell and with the help of paramedics who arrived from 171, the guides removed José Gregorio Mota and Gabriel Yáñez alive. The acting warden reported that "the fire fighters arrived, the first of the fire trucks to arrive had no water"; then another unit arrived from Unare that did bring a water tank, "but it was too late". Carlos Martes reported: “first the fire fighters arrived and after them came the 171 Bolívar service, then the 171 and [Chirinos] brought out one of the boys who was still alive, then the 171 with the help of the firefighters took out another who was alive, (...) then after about half an hour they took out those who were dead. 90 47. On this point, the inmates of Cell No. 2 declared that "the boys were rescued by [Chirinos] and the fire was put out by [Martes], the fire fighters, despite arriving on time, did not participate". They state that "the rescue group 171 did not have equipment such as fire extinguishers, masks and said that there was a lot of smoke and that they could not enter because they were putting their lives at risk".91 48. Subsequently, the youths Mota and Yáñez were transferred to the Manuel Piar clinic—which initially refused to admit them for alleged lack of an agreement with the INAM92—where they died shortly Annex 46. Interview by Luis Catilo Jiménez (9.8.2005). Annex 33 to the additional brief; see also Annex 47. Interview by Osman Rojas (10.8.2005). Annex 34 to the additional brief (They wanted to protest “because the older ones in that cell [four] had had it with us, they wanted to impose on us [...] they wanted to rule the INAM”); Annex 48. Interview by Christian Rocca (8.8.2005). Annex 38 to the additional brief; Annex 49. Interview by Carlos Lemis (8.8.2005). Annex 40 to the additional brief; Annex 50. Interview by José Luis Pulgarita (88.8.2005). Annex 42 to the additional brief. 82 Annex 46. Interview by Luis Catilo Jiménez (9.8.2005). Annex 33 to the additional brief; see also Annexes 47, 50. 83 Annex 46. Interview by Luis Catilo Jiménez (9.8.2005). Annex 33 to the additional brief; Annexes 47, 48, 49, 50. 84 Annex 49. Interview by Carlos Lemis (8.8.2005). Annex 40 to the additional brief; see also Annex 50 (Chirinos “arrived at our cell and told us that those lads were kicking up a fuss and that it was our fault”). 85 Annex 20. Interview of Carlos Martes (3.8.2005). Annex 15 to the additional brief. 86 Annex 12. Statement of Nerio Romero (7.29.2005). Annex 28 to the additional brief. 87 Annex 40. Statement of José Luis Chirinos (7.29.2005). Annex 27 to the additional brief. 88 Annex 40. Statement of José Luis Chirinos (7.29.2005). Annex 27 to the additional brief. 89 Annex 51. Reconstruction of Events (31.10.2006). Annex O to the original petition. 90 Annex 40. Statement of José Luis Chirinos (7.29.2005). Annex 27 to the additional brief; see also Annexes 12, 20, 42, 48. 91 Annex 43. Statement of Brígida Hurtado (7.29.2005). Annex 32 to the additional brief; see also Annexes 48, 50, 55. 92 Annex 43. Statement of Brígida Hurtado (7.29.2005). Annex 32 to the additional brief; see also Annex 40. 81