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[Aileen]

I just wanted to bring attention to this awful tragedy that has touched my heart because the majority of the 245 that were confirmed dead was around my age group. 3 people have been arrested in the local proximity of the nightclub, but the police aren't sure if it was an arson attack. It is also the largest death toll in a fire since 9/11. Wow.

Last I heard was that the fire could have been caused by the fireworks that went off.

Terrible tragedy though.

On tonight's BBC news it was reported that the fire was started by a small pyrotechnic display on the stage which had been used by the band as part of its 'effects' before without any problems.  When they realised that part of the stage had caught fire a guard handed them a fire extinguisher, but it didn't work.

The fire then spread very quickly and many of the youngsters in the club were unable to escape because not only was there only one exit door open but the security guards  initially failed to realise what was happening and tried to block people from leaving - it being the practice in Brazilian bars and clubs to have customers pay their whole tab before allowing them to leave the premises.

Also barriers which were designed to keep people in line outside the club obstructed the way of those who had managed to leave, with tragic consequences as people were crushed in the stampede to get out.

It also seems that considerably more people were killed by the toxic smoke than they were by the fire itself.  According to one account given by a doctor -

The toxic smoke made people lose their sense of direction so they were unable to find their way to the exit. At least 50 bodies were found inside a bathroom.  Apparently they confused the bathroom door with the exit door.

So far four arrests have been made - the owner and co-owner of the club, its security chief and a member of the band.

The number of deaths has been reduced to 231 - not that that's of any comfort to the bereaved families, or to the national as a whole, and my thoughts are very much with them and the youngsters who escaped but received terrible burns.  I did have a look at some eye-witness reports and many of them make gruesome reading.

 
 

[Mark]

Surely 999 or the equivalent is a better option than Facebook?

[scotnadian]

Surely 999 or the equivalent is a better option than Facebook?

Mark, last year I lost two of my lovely students to a house fire. They'd called 911 but were trapped in the fire. While they were trapped they text messaged their friends for help.
They were 17 and 18 years old.

As Aileen says, the poor victim probably used Facebook in sheer desperation. If a silly song can get massive attention and go rapidly viral, then why not a plea for help?
This is another senseless tragedy, and I hope safety lessons are learned.

[Mark]

Mark, last year I lost two of my lovely students to a house fire. They'd called 911 but were trapped in the fire. While they were trapped they text messaged their friends for help.
They were 17 and 18 years old.

[scotnadian]

I just found out yesterday what catfishing meant.
Who knew?.. Not me.

This story is crazy, how someone can portray themself online.

http://www.drphil.com/shows/show/1969

[scotnadian]

This guy portrayed himself as a beautiful girl and they talked online and thru voice messages for almost 2 years. He then killed 'her' off with cancer.
The footballer (Manti Te'o) spoke publicly about how devasted he was by her death, and how much she meant to him. He had no idea the whole thing wasn't real.
Now this guy has come clean to Dr. Phil, his family and the world.

Can't imagine how Manti feels. Wow!

It's complicated and crazy.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/01/us/manti-teo-hoax/index.html

[scotnadian]

I shouldn't, but...

[GangstaMurray]

I don't condone it either, but Roniaha is one bloody good voice impressionist.