News In Brief

Fire-gutted Madrid disco had blocked doorways

A judge Sunday detained and began questioning the owners of a Madrid discotheque that was swept by fire early Saturday, killing 82 people. Interrogation centered on why several exit doors from the crowded dance club were apparently found blocked when the fire broke out. Doors at the Alcala 20 disco were reportedly locked, some with iron bars, after the nightspot filled to capacity.

Meanwhile, fire officials in Amsterdam said curtains and carpets made of chemical fibers helped spread a fire that killed 13 people Friday in several adjoining clubs in the city's red-light district. Police said a fired employee of one of the torched clubs was charged with arson.