In one of the deadliest party-related incidents in decades, a fire in a Brazilian nightclub killed 233 people on Saturday night. According to most accounts, the incident began when the performing band set off pyrotechnics, which engulfed the club's roof in flames. The toxic smoke released from the fire in the windowless club quickly suffocated scores of attendees, and disoriented the rest. It is reported that the majority of victims died from asphyxiation, and the rest from trampling.
Unsettling details are emerging from the incident. Firstly, it's claimed that the club, "Kiss,' in southern Santa Maria, Brazil, had lost it's license in August 2012. Furthermore, the band members refuse to accept blame.
According to CNN, Guitarist Rodrigo Lemos Martins told the newspaper Folha de São Paulo that it was not clear what may have caused the fire. "There were many wires on the ceiling, and there could have been a short circuit," he said.
It's also reported that club officials actually tried to block the exits in the early stages of the fire, trapping patrons inside. All of these are stark reminders of the importance of proper safety code and fire procedures, particularly in less ventilated arenas. By the end of the night, the death toll was so high that bodies were loaded into trucks, where many parents found the remains of their children.
As of Monday, police have detained 4 individuals - including club owners and band members. They will be imprisoned for 5 days while being questioned about the tragedy.