At least 230 killed in Brazilian nightclub fire

At least 230 people have died in a fire that swept through a nightclub in southern Brazil, police say. It seems the high standards of fire safety required in the UK are not implemented worldwide. They say the fire began when a band on stage started a fireworks display at the Kiss nightclub in the city of Santa Maria, in Rio Grande do Sul state. Reports say there was only one exit and panic spread as people tried to get out. One fire official said rescuers had counted 150 bodies. The fire is now out and bodies are being removed from the scene."Fire services are looking for other victims. We can't give an exact number of victims. People started panicking and ended up treading on each other," fire chief Guido de Melo told local media. A reporter at the scene told local radio that the nightclub had a capacity for up to 2,000 people and was believed to be full on a Saturday night. Thick smoke engulfed the venue after acoustic insulation caught fire, officials say. Many victims reportedly died from inhaling toxic fumes. Fire crews reportedly knocked through a wall to help those trapped inside escape. Fire official Moises da Silva Fuchs said 150 bodies had been counted. Hundreds of people have been taken to hospital. Santa Maria is a major university city with a population of about 250,000 people. For practical help on assessing fire risks at your own organisation, the NEBOSH Fire and Risk Management Certificate is the perfect short-course. Contact Ros Stacey at rs@crsrisk.com for dates and details. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-21220308