At least 232 killed in Brazilian night club fire

Porto Alegre, Brazil - At least 232 people died early Sunday in a fire at a night club in southern Brazil, according to the fire department,mid fears the death toll could climb higher.

Rescue teams had completed the effort to recover bodies from the popular Kiss night club in the town of Santa Maria. They were still working at the site to establish the cause of the fire.

A total of 131 people were injured and admitted to hospital, said Major Cleberson Bastianello, who was leading rescue efforts. Most of those killed died of asphyxiation.

Police had earlier put the death toll at 245.

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff abruptly cut short her participation in the EU-Latin American summit in Santiago to travel to the state of Rio Grande do Sul, where Santa Maria is located and which is also Rousseff’s home state.

"I wanted to tell the people of our country and of Santa Maria that we are all together at this moment of sadness," she told reporters, with tears in her eyes, before she departed.

"And we will overcome this, though the sadness will remain," she said.

The fire started at around 2:30 am (0530 GMT). Preliminary information suggested it was sparked by a pyrotechnics display during a concert attended largely by students from a nearby university.

-- The Nation 2013-01-28

Night Club Fire Kills Hundreds in Brazil

BUENOS AIRES, January 27 (RIA Novosti) – A fire at a night club in Santa Maria, southern Brazil, has probably left at least 232 dead, local police said on Sunday.

The death toll was lowered from the initial figure of 245.

The fire began early on Sunday when a band on stage at the Kiss club started a fireworks display.

Thick smoke engulfed the venue after acoustic insulation caught fire, according to the local reports.

Most victims died after inhaling the toxic fumes or from being trampled during the panic, police said. A total of 131 people have been injured.

Panic intensified when security guards locked the exit. Media reports said the guards were unaware of the blaze and tried to stop people from leaving the building without paying.

Full story: http://en.rian.ru/wo.../179060204.html

-- RIA NOVOSTI 2013-01-28

My though's go out to all the victims and there family's that have been involved in this tragedy .... R.I.P

Santica springs to mind!

Indoor fireworks. A packed nightclub. One exit. Morons.

Yes, Santika does spring to mind!

The fire began early on Sunday when a band on stage at the Kiss club started a fireworks display.

Thick smoke engulfed the venue after acoustic insulation caught fire, according to the local reports.

Most victims died after inhaling the toxic fumes or from being trampled during the panic, police said. A total of 131 people have been injured.

Panic intensified when security guards locked the exit. Media reports said the guards were unaware of the blaze and tried to stop people from leaving the building without paying.

What a horrible way to go. RIP.

Similar situation could happen in Thailand, even after many similar events there still is little improvement on safety.

Edited January 28, 201313 yr by Basil B

Third world countries, night clubs and pyrotechnics on stages. Seems to be a pattern that some one needs to look into.

Panic intensified when security guards locked the exit. Media reports said the guards were unaware of the blaze and tried to stop people from leaving the building without paying.

Must be some nightclub if they charge people to leave!