A devastating fire tore through Club Pulse in Kočani, North Macedonia, early Sunday morning, killing 59 people and injuring more than 150 others. The nightclub, packed beyond legal capacity with around 1,500 attendees, was hosting a concert by the popular hip-hop group DNK when pyrotechnics ignited the club’s ceiling, setting off a deadly blaze. Thick smoke, panic, and a single exit led to victims burning, suffocating, or being trampled as they tried to escape the deadly North Macedonia nightclub fire.
A view of the damaged Pulse nightclub, following a fire that resulted in dozens of deaths in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, March 17, 2025. REUTERS/Alexandros Avramidis
State prosecutor Ljupco Kocevski revealed that a preliminary inspection found numerous safety violations, including a lack of emergency exits, insufficient fire extinguishers, and restricted access for emergency vehicles. Meanwhile, authorities are investigating allegations of bribery involving the nightclub, which was operating at double capacity, according to an AP report. “The omissions are significant. I can confidently say that this is a failure of the system,” Kocevski told reporters. He also noted the lack of overhead fire extinguishers and alarms and that flammable materials were used to line the interior walls. In response to the tragedy, North Macedonia’s government has ordered a sweeping three-day inspection of all nightclubs and cabarets across the country, beginning Monday.
The tragedy is part of a disturbing global pattern, where nightclub fires have resulted in hundreds of deaths, many caused by indoor pyrotechnics, a broader category of explosives that include fireworks. Research shows that nearly 25% of the deadliest nightclub fires in history were triggered by stage effects, fireworks, and forms of pyrotechnics, with arson being the second most common cause. The North Macedonia nightclub fire echoes several past nightclub tragedies where fireworks and pyrotechnic displays ignited catastrophic infernos, leading to mass casualties.
People smash a pub, which according to protesters belongs to the owner of Pulse nightclub, following a fire in the club that resulted in dozens of deaths, in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, March 17, 2025. REUTERS/Marko Djurica
One of the most infamous nightclub fires was the Station Nightclub Fire in Rhode Island, USA, in 2003, which killed 100 people and injured 230 others. Pyrotechnics used by the band Great White ignited flammable soundproofing foam, causing the venue to be engulfed in flames within five minutes. The nightclub was over capacity and many were trampled on the way to the exit, which contributed to the high death toll. Similarly, the Kiss Nightclub Fire in Brazil in 2013 occurred when a flare lit by a band member ignited the club’s acoustic foam, releasing toxic fumes that caused an astounding 242 deaths and 630 injuries. Many victims collapsed near exits, blocking escape routes. It was the worst club fire in Brazil and third deadliest club fire in world history.
In 2009, the Lame Horse Nightclub Fire in Russia resulted in 156 deaths when pyrotechnics ignited decorations and the club’s low ceiling, filling the venue with suffocating smoke. Another tragic incident occurred in Argentina in 2004, when an audience member fired a flare gun inside Cromañón Republic nightclub in Buenos Aires, setting off a fire that killed 194 people and injured over 1,400. It was the worst club fire in Argentina’s history.
People react outside a hospital, following a fire in a night club resulting in casualties, in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, March 16, 2025. REUTERS/Alexandros Avramidis
Despite overwhelming evidence that indoor pyrotechnics pose a serious risk, bands, event organizers, and club owners continue to use them, believing they can manage the dangers to provide unique concert experiences. Meanwhile, the public trusts authorities to enforce fire and safety regulations, ensuring unobstructed exits, fire-resistant materials near stages, and adequate fire suppression systems. Yet as history has shown, without stricter regulations or outright bans on the use of pyrotechnics in indoor spaces, nightclub fires will continue to claim lives in preventable tragedies.
