A national day of mourning is taking place in Russia today after the death toll hits 112 following a blaze at the Lame Horse Nightclub in the city of Perm, Sky News (source) and the BBC have reported (source).
It is reported that around 130 people were admitted to hospital with serious burns and 80 victims were flown to Moscow St Petersburg and Chelyabinsk for medical treatment. Entertainment events and television programs have been cancelled with flags flying at half mast as Russia mourns the tragedy and pays its respects to the victims and the families of those involved.
People have gathered at the central morgue in Perm to lay flowers and light candles outside the venue the tragedy occurred at, and the first funerals have in the central cathedral in Perm with all day memorial services taking place.
The blaze has been blamed on a fireworks show were sparks set light to wicker decorations on the clubs walls and ceilings according to eyewitness reports. The nightclub owner, two managers and the organiser of the firework display are currently in police custody whist investigations are taking place, and it is reported that the owners ignored repeated orders to comply with safety standards.
Many of the victims who lost their lives were trapped in a mass exodus as more than 200 people struggled to escape the building through one narrow exit, surrounded by smoke and flames. A criminal case is being opened in to the causes of the fire and Russia’s president Dmitry Medvedev has condemned the tragedy as “without brains or conscience.”
Health and safety regulations differ between countries, however fire safety regulations usually follow a similar standard of prevention, means of escape, and fire fighting capabilities. Generally what is expected to comply with fire safety regulations are the following:
- Sufficient and accessible means of escape (i.e. several fire exits for the building with sufficiently sized routes for escape)
- Sufficient means and equipment in place for fire fighting in the premises (fire extinguishers)
- Sufficient means of fire detection and warning (commonly fire alarms).
- Sufficient instruction, training and drills for people to know what to do should a fire break out.
Failure to comply with such regulations is a breach of health and safety and those responsible are negligent in their duty of care for those injured as a result of fire breakout. This tragic story appears so far to be an example where such failures has led to devastating consequences through failure to maintain the duty of care the owners and managers have for the people in the establishment.
It is also reported that fire inspections take place regularly in Russia as a means to demand bribes rather than enforce the safety regulations in place. A local resident claims that “the authorities are directly to blame, along with the corruption and the criminality of the fireman”
The Russian Emergencies Minister has called for spot checks to be carried out on all of Russia’s nightclubs and the President has demanded that those responsible for the tragedy be “punished with the full force of the law.”
If you have been injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, speak to an independent expert personal injury solicitor for advice as to where you stand.
