Blaze scorches Venezuela land agency office; authorities investigate possible arson

[Judi Lynn]

From The Associated Press, January 8, 2011 - 3:52 PM
Blaze scorches Venezuela land agency office; authorities investigate possible arson

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - A Venezuelan government office belonging to the agency that handles land takeovers has been severely damaged by a fire, and officials say they suspect arson.

Agriculture and Land Minister Juan Carlos Loyo says the blaze damaged 70 percent of the regional headquarters of the National Land Institute.

Loyo tells state television there is "very strong evidence" suggesting it may have been set deliberately by "a group of individuals."

He did not elaborate.

Saturday's blaze took place in the western state of Zulia, where President Hugo Chavez's government began seizing 47 private ranches totaling more than 59,000 acres (24,000 hectares) last month.

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