Another Deadly Nightclub Fire - Pyro Devices To Blame

Tragedy in North Macedonia overnight - a fire broke out at Club Pulse, killing 59 and injuring 155. There were apparently 500 people in the club when the fire began.

A local pop group named DNA was performing at the club in Kocani. So far, 20 people have been arrested including the club owner. Apparently the Club Pulse didn't have a license to operate as a music venue. Band members were also arrested.

From NPR (bold mine):

The blaze broke out around 2:30 a.m. during a concert by a local pop group at Club Pulse, Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski told reporters. He said 39 of the dead had so far been identified.

He said, following an initial assessment, pyrotechnics likely caused the roof to catch fire. Videos showed chaos inside the club, with young people running through the smoke as the musicians urged people to escape as quickly as possible.

Less than two million people live in Macedonia and this is a massive tragedy for the small nation. You have to wonder why clubs keep allowing indoor pyro, especially after The Station nightclub fire (22 years ago now). My required reminder: always check the exist points when you enter a concert venue. Be aware of your surroundings and how the crowd is acting. If there is pyro and you are inside, it is time to get out - period.

Comments

[Jeff]

Unbelievable how this could happen again. Even though it's in another country, you'd think there would be lessons learned from the Great White incident. Sounds like the exact same thing happened. The videos of the event starting are horrific.

[stu]

sad that we keep having to read these stories. and it’s not just the small clubs, disturbed’s pyros caught the bull’s championship banners on fire in chicago. we want bigger and better almost at the price of our safety.

[Jeff]

I can see Pyro being banned at all indoor venues very soon. There's really no need for it when your can use lasers

[fletch]

This is such another devastating, yet completely preventable, tradegy. All club owners should put a global moratorium on the use of pyrotechnics in these type of places. Full stop.