Deadly nightclub fire

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Fire raced through a Buenos Aires nightclub last week, killing 188 people. Many victims were apparently trapped because club employees had padlocked emergency exits to prevent people from entering without paying. Irate protesters marched on City Hall, demanding to know why the government had not done more to make sure the club was safe. The city’s public security chief resigned, and police detained one of the club’s owners for questioning. “We have to ensure this never happens again,” said Jorge Viegas Mendes, whose 18-year-old son was killed. Investigators said the fire might have been touched off when audience members fired off flares, igniting foam on the club’s ceiling.