Fatal club fire started by flare for outdoor use

Inspector Marcelo Arigony said members of the band knowingly bought flares meant for outdoor use because they cost just 79p each, compared with £22.30 for an indoor flare.

“The flare lit was for outdoor use only and the people who lit them know that,” said Mr Arigony, adding they admitted regularly opting for the less expensive flares.

“They chose to buy those because they were cheaper than those that can be used indoors.”

Mr Arigony, whose cousin died in the fire, added: “The pyrotechnics were part of their show – the guys even wore gloves on stage so they wouldn’t burn their hands.”

The repercussions continue to send shockwaves through Santa Maria, a college town of 260,000 people stunned by the tragedy at the Kiss nightclub.

The Rio Grande do Sul state forensics department raised the death toll Tuesday from 231 to 234 to account for three victims who did not appear on the original list of the dead. Authorities say more than 120 people remain in hospital, dozens in a critical condition.

The blaze began at around 2.30am Sunday local time, during a performance by Gurizada Fandangueira, a country music band.

Its guitarist told the media the 6,650 square feet club was packed with 1,200 to 1,300 people. Police have said the capacity for a club of that size is under 700 people.

Police said the club’s ceiling was covered with insulating foam made from a combustible material that appeared to have been set alight by a spark from a flare.

The foam, which emitted a toxic gas, was not proper soundproofing equipment and was probably only used to cut down on the echo inside the club, Mr Arigony said.

After the fire extinguisher malfunctioned, the blaze spread rapidly throughout the club, emitting a thick, toxic smoke. About 50 victims were found in two bathrooms, where smoke caused them to believe the doors were exits.