Death toll from Peru blaze nears 300

Rescuers continue to pull bodies from the rubble of buildings in Lima, Peru.

LIMA, Peru (CNN) -- Firefighters found more bodies Monday as they searched the basement of a shopping center devastated by a weekend blaze that killed close to 300 people.

The death toll stood at 296, according to civil defense authorities, but the number of dead is expected to rise.

About 150 others were injured.

Grieving relatives lined up outside the city's main morgue, bringing dental records and photographs to identify victims. The identification process is expected to be difficult because many victims were burned beyond recognition.

A Mass was set Monday night at the city's cathedral in memory of the victims.

VIDEO Correspondent Claudia Cisneros reports on a fireworks explosion that set off a blaze killing more than 120 people in a Lima, Peru shopping area (December 30) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

Monday was the second day of national mourning declared by President Alejandro Toledo.

The blaze, which began Saturday night when fireworks exploded in two commercial buildings, swept through four blocks of apartments and stores.

Witnesses said people jumped from windows in century-old buildings as the fire raged. Officials said many of the buildings had inoperable emergency exits and nonexistent fire security.

The shopping area was full Saturday night with shoppers buying fireworks for New Year's celebrations.

Toledo has since banned the sale of fireworks.