Nightclub fire in Brazil causes 233 deaths

A pyrotechnic malfunction at Kiss night club has injured hundreds of people. Many of the people in the club at the time are suffering from burns as well as smoke inhalation.

According to USA Today a security guard at the club said they were near maximum capacity, with around 1,000-2,000 people inside.

It is speculated that the fire started sometime after 2:15 a.m.

The guitarist for the band on stage, Rodrigo Martins said, “We had played around five songs when I looked up and noticed the roof was burning. It might have happened because of the Sputnik, the machine we use to create a luminous effect with sparks. It's harmless, we never had any trouble with it.”

New York Times reports the tragedy is one of the deadliest nightclub fires in history.

One police officer, Elizabeth Shimomura, who was present at the accident told the newspaper, “It is a scene of horror.”

Multiple people have claimed that the club was over their maximum capacity. Other complaints stated that there were blocked exits due to the stage equipment.

The Times also reports that the incident will have a sever effect on Brazil's policy and government. They state that there have been several other preventable tragedies in the country, including “collapsed buildings, manhole explosions and trolley mishaps.