200+ dead in Brazilian nightclub fire

Lollipops23 · 28-01-2013 04:28PM

davet82 wrote: »

most died in the toilets as they mistook the signs for exits so i think that emphasises your post

I think I remember seeing pics of people at the Stardust trying to bust out the windows of the bathrooms, might have been a similar incidence here?

I remember doing a pub crawl on Baggot St/Merrion Row at Xmas a few years back, and thinking that some of the pubs were so packed, it would take nothing to turn it into chaos. Even this weekend, some places were so bloody packed tight that any danger at all would result in a stampede.

Can't imagine the last moments of those poor people trying to escape.

666irishguy · 28-01-2013 04:39PM

Instantly made me think of the line "some stupid with a flare gun" from Smoke on the Water written nearly 50 years ago. This kind of stupidity has been replayed dozens of times with tragic events following. Unbelievable that somebody would be stupid enough to use what I must assume to be a parachute flare inside. Probably didn't know it wont explode until it's a few hundred feet off the ground and it just lodged in the foam tiles in the ceiling. If hes still alive he is in a world of trouble.

Cork boy 55 · 28-01-2013 04:57PM

lockon... wrote: »

I think it's good to watch these videos, it will make you respect fire safety

snip (cut out youtube links)

People involved in business and crowd control need to watch those videos especially the second one
Looks like the same situation here in Brazil as in
station club in Rhode island 2003
and the lame horse club in Perm Russia 2010 (videos)
and many more

Pyrotechnic display
+
flammable ceiling material
+
too many people
+
too few exits
=
Mass death

All three events largely over in a matter of a few minutes
All three events completely unnecessary
No accidents here just corruption by management.

This clip contains disturbing images. This clip should be preserved for lessons learned in fire prevention, inspection, code enforcement, and fire behavior. I hope this clip provides information that will save lives in the future.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Station_nightclub_fire

The Station nightclub fire was the fourth deadliest nightclub fire in American history, killing 100 people. The fire began at 11:07 PM EST, on Thursday, February 20, 2003, at The Station, a glam metal and rock n roll themed nightclub located at 211 Cowesett Avenue in West Warwick, Rhode Island.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jae1fglq-9g

CruelCoin · 28-01-2013 05:08PM

galwayrush wrote: »

Horrific.:eek:

That's even more shocking wth the death toll, injury numbers considering the club only held 500.

More like 1000.

Never seen a pub/club stick with the regulations on max capacity.

Some bad mojo though.

FouxDaFaFa · 28-01-2013 05:18PM

I've been wondering about the drinks thing. If I understand correctly, you go in and order your drinks throughout the night without paying and then settle at the end of the night. Is this common in Brazil? I'm guessing the logic is that you'll spend more than you realise because you're not actually handing over any money.

Horrible to think this played a part in delaying people trying to escape.

Bacchus · 28-01-2013 05:33PM

FouxDaFaFa wrote: »

I've been wondering about the drinks thing. If I understand correctly, you go in and order your drinks throughout the night without paying and then settle at the end of the night. Is this common in Brazil? I'm guessing the logic is that you'll spend more than you realise because you're not actually handing over any money.

I've heard of this system before from many different people & cities. I've never experienced it first hand but I think the idea is two fold...
1. Quicker turn over at the bar as there is no messing around with cash, having to give customers change.
2. As you said, people are more likely to spend more if they're not handing over the cash till the end of the night.

It's not that terrible an idea though and I don't think it should be used as a reason for the tragedy. Sure there are pubs here in Ireland that do similar things e.g. Soho in Cork has taps at the tables that charge to your credit/debit card when you're done. Restaurants too, put your drinks on the bill that you only pay for when leaving.

What was wrong in this incident was how slow security were to react to the fire/smoke and let people out.

April O Neill · 28-01-2013 05:46PM

seamus wrote: »

Nightclubs and even pubs are typically dark and jammed with drunk people. If you think about the monumentally inconsiderate assholes you usually find pushing their way through the crowd in a busy club, then imagine that everyone is one of these assholes and they're all slightly drunk and panicking for their lives; Uncontrollable chaos.

In other scenarios where it's bright and people are sober, it's much easier to maintain calm and evacuate.

It's these kinds of incidents we should be using as a reminder to audit our fire regulations and see what can be improved. At the very least, no club should be allowed to operate without a valid certificate of approval from a yearly inspection, with jail time for failing to comply.

And use of pyrotechnics need to be strictly controlled and assessed.

200+ dead in Brazilian nightclub fire

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