Caracas, Apr 2 (RHC), -- Violent groups linked to the Venezuelan opposition on Tuesday set the Ministry of Housing in Caracas ablaze, putting the lives of 1200 workers at risk, said Housing Minister, Ricardo Molina.

On Tuesday, dozens of workers and 89 children at the ministry's nursery were rescued from the building after it was set on fire by masked protesters, the minister reported to the official Venezolana de Televisión TV channel.

"These terrorists threw petrol bombs and set the building on fire, putting the lives of our workers at risk. We were endangered by the madness and radical actions of these violent groups," said Molina, adding he will denounce the terrorist attack before legal authorities.

The minister also criticized the mayor of the Chacao municipality, where the building is located, for failing to respond to the emergency. He said the situation was relieved by members of the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB) and the Fire Department of the Capital District, who managed to extinguish the flames and safeguard the lives of all workers.

Venezuela has been the scene of violent anti-government protests since mid-February. The protests, organized by U.S.-backed hard line opposition sectors, have been marred by attacks on government institutions and supporters.