Fires in nightclubs started by pyrotechnics
On 16th March 2025, a fire broke out at the Pulse nightclub in North Macedonia. Leaving 61 people dead, the fire was reportedly started by indoor fireworks igniting materials inside the club. Many people will remember similar incidents as nightclub fires are often in the news and often caused by the use of fireworks or other pyrotechnics.
Indeed, in the last twenty-five years, similar fires have occurred in the Netherlands, Romania, Russia, Argentina, the USA, Ecuador, China and Brazil. Around 1,000 people have died in such fires.
This CROSS Feature Article highlights the alarming global trend: mass fatalities are still occurring because of the use of pyrotechnics in nightclubs. Furthermore, the frequency and severity of these fires is a real cause for concern.
Why are so many nightclub fires started by pyrotechnics, and could a similar event happen here in the UK?
The approach to managing fire risk requires three key steps: identifying potential hazards, preventing fires from starting, and ensuring that if a fire does occur, people are alerted and can evacuate safely. This approach should be tailored to the risk as buildings are unique – though similar types of use can sometimes lead to similar approaches.
Nightclubs require a high level of fire safety management for the following reasons:
- The presence of large numbers of people who may be unfamiliar with the building, and who may have their judgement impaired by alcohol or other substances
- The high volume of sound and music
- The high levels of excitement
- Subdued lighting or lighting that is flashing/bright, used to create an effect
- Secured exits to prevent unauthorised entry
- Emergency exits not used as entrances that may be difficult to find and operate
- Furniture and decorations that may be deployed on a permanent or temporary basis to support a theme or help achieve a certain atmosphere or ambience, especially around periods of celebration
How is the risk controlled?
A building that is to be used as a nightclub will require compliance with the relevant building regulations. Many nightclubs are inside buildings used for other purposes, and many are in spaces that have been adapted from another use rather than a purpose-built structure. Consequently, few nightclub premises have ideal fire safe designs. Emergency escapes may be via stairs or through rarely used and unfamiliar exit routes, which may be of varying widths. Building regulations guidance sets out the maximum distance to the exits, the number required, and the widths needed related to the number of people who could pass through them.
The management of fire safety in buildings in use in England and Wales is generally controlled through the application of The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Act 2005 (FSO) enforced by the fire and rescue service (FRS) along with similar legislation in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The FSO marked a significant change in the regulatory approach, as previously fire safety fell within the scope of the Licensing Act 1964, with conditions set by licensing magistrates, influenced by reports from the relevant FRS.
In contrast, the FSO placed the responsibility for managing fire risk directly on the employer, requiring a risk assessment and action on any significant findings. This removed the requirement for magistrates to receive reports from the FRS before granting or renewing a licence, leaving inspections to be driven by FRS priorities.
Appropriate guidance
Advice is provided in the UK Government’s Guide to fire safety in small and medium places of assembly. The guide provides a good overview of the challenges towards achieving fire safety in such premises and should be read by the Responsible Person.
It is not difficult to imagine the transition from a room full of people enjoying a great time, influenced by alcohol and a relaxed atmosphere, to a developing emergency. Smoke begins to fill the space, fire becomes apparent, and visibility decreases. Breathing is affected by toxic fumes, and fire alarms activate. In an unfamiliar space with no clear or known alternative exits, individuals may experience confusion and disorientation. Raised voices and movement add to the disruption as evacuation becomes necessary.
How can this have occurred so often? Is the guidance appropriate to the risk and couched in language that will be absorbed by those who make decisions about events in nightclubs?
Nightclub fires caused by pyrotechnics have typically resulted from two major failures: the use of fireworks indoors, and the presence of combustible materials that allowed the fire to spread rapidly, producing smoke and heat. In many cases over the past twenty-five years, the situation was made worse by additional failures – such as overcrowding that limited access to exits, locked exits, a lack of adequately trained staff to guide and manage evacuation, and the use of combustible materials in furnishings or wall and ceiling coverings.
When used indoors, pyrotechnics can easily ignite flammable ceiling materials, acoustic foam, or decorations. In some incidents, fireworks (which are different from stage pyrotechnics and sometimes illegally used indoors) have played a role.
Minimising the risks
Regulatory oversight must ensure strict compliance with fire safety standards. The FSO changed the relationship between clubs, licensing magistrates and the fire and rescue service. Regular ‘during a performance’ visits and audits of fire safety to provide reports for licensing approvals may not be carried out as frequently as needed to help keep fire safety in the sight of venue managers.
Nightclubs should restrict the use of pyrotechnics and fireworks, allowing only those approved for use indoors, as history has repeatedly shown their deadly consequences.
Capacity limits must be enforced, and emergency exits should always be accessible.
Public awareness is also key. People need to understand the real risk of fires in nightclubs and be prepared to evacuate swiftly but calmly if danger arises. Most of the victims of these fires are young people, and so there could be campaigns for greater awareness of risks aimed at schools, universities, and places of further education.
For the patrons of these venues, CROSS’ advice is to note the exits upon arrival into a venue and stay alert to overcrowding. If you have any concerns, you should raise these with management and, failing that, call your local fire service to report a fire risk. If there is any sign of a fire, then you should get out immediately.
Key Learning Outcomes
- The use of pyrotechnics should be carefully controlled by licensed operators
- Guidance for club managers should be clear and explicit regarding the standards for materials inside their venues to be fire resistant
- Fire and rescue services should review local risk management plans to include audits of premises used as night clubs
- Information should be provided to club users to tell them to be aware of their surroundings and exit routes
- Training and testing for door supervisors should include fire safety
One further challenge that must be addressed is how to ensure safety for all club goers, including those with physical challenges. This issue is the source of concern for many buildings, however, all the hazards highlighted in this article are magnified for those reliant on others to get them to a place of safety in an emergency.
If the Grenfell Tower fire has taught us anything, it is that the mindset of ‘it couldn’t happen here’ is dangerously misguided. We must all remain vigilant and robust in protecting these crowded spaces.
For more information, visit www.cross-safety.org.
