Men accused of starting fire in Brazil nightclub to be sent to trial

The four men accused of starting a fire at Boate Kiss, a nightclub in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, south Brazil, are to be sent to trial, as dictated by a local court ruling.

Seven judges are to decide whether Elissandro Callegaro Spohr, Mauro Londero Hoffmann, Marcelo de Jesus dos Santos, and Luciano Augusto Bonilha Leão are to be deemed guilty or not guilty. Spohr and Hoffman were partner owners of the club, whereas Santos and Leão were members of the band performing the night the incident happened. The four are being charged with the aggravated murder of 242 people, and the attempted murder of another 636, who were also in the club.

The tragedy

In the early hours of January 27, 2013, a party was taking place at Boate Kiss, in downtown Santa Maria. During the performance of a band called Gurizada Fandangueira, the group set off fireworks that hit the soundproofing foam on the walls. The fire spread quickly and a toxic smoke filled the inside area of the club. The incident fire left 242 dead, most of whom choked, and another 636 wounded.

According to the prosecutors, the foam used for soundproofing in the club was highly inflammable and had no technical specifications to be used the way it was. In addition, the club failed to provide club goers with security conditions and emergency exits, and was also overcrowded the night the fire broke out. The members of the band were reported to the police for letting off fireworks on stage which could only be used outdoors.

No date has been set for the trial yet.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira