Guatemala shelter fire toll rises to 40

Another victim of the Guatemala children's shelter fire has died from burns, taking the death toll to 40.

Another victim of the Guatemala children's shelter fire has died, taking the death toll to 40. (AAP)

The death toll in a fire at a Guatemalan children's shelter has risen to 40 with the announcement that another girl has died of burns.

Nineteen of the adolescents died at the scene of Wednesday's inferno and another 21 died in local hospitals.

The fire began when mattresses were set ablaze during a protest by residents at the overcrowded youth shelter.

Authorities are still searching for answers in the disaster that has put a spotlight on failings in Guatemala's child protective services.