Eight firemen in Santa Maria, Brazil have been charged in connection with a January nightclub fire that claimed 241 lives. The charges were brought upon the eight men by military prosecutors. In Brazil the fire department is part of the country's military. Firefighters are typically not subject to civilian law for crimes committed on duty.
The firemen are accused of various kinds of fraud stemming from the lack of proper licenses for the Kiss Nightclub. It is the fire department's responsibility to make sure businesses are properly licensed, inspected and have safety plans in case of a fire.
On January 27, 2013 in the early morning hours, between 800 and 900 patrons were still partying inside the building. The building caught fire when one of the band members preforming on stage lit a flare inside the club. The flare ignited material on the ceiling and the club goers all rushed for the one exit the Kiss Nightclub had.
Club goers died as a result of becoming trapped in exit-less bathrooms overcome by smoke. Other media reports say some people who got out of the building died after going back for friends and family. The club's owners are facing manslaughter charges for the unsafe conditions of their establishment.
The band member that shot off the flair is also facing manslaughter charges. There are numerous different inquiries into the fire that claimed over 200 lives. Prosecutors have accused the eight firemen of "misrepresenting and not observing the law," allnews24.com reports.
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