Brazil nightclub fire: Four sentenced over blaze that killed 242

A Brazilian court has sentenced four people to long prison terms for killing 242 club members in a fire during a party in 2013.

The fire started when an orchestra performing at the Kiss nightclub in the southern city of Santa Maria lit torches that let the light shine on the ceiling. There was a rush, and most of the victims were killed by smoke inhalation.

The two owners of the club and two group members were convicted of murder and attempted murder. A police investigation said sparks from a torch-lit by the Gurizada Fangangueira group on stage ignited the insulation material in the nightclub, which in turn caused the toxic fumes.

According to the findings, the venue had no working fire extinguishers and poor emergency signs. Officials found there were only two emergency exits.

The fire happened during a university party, and most of the victims were students between 17 and 30 years old. More than 600 people were injured.

The trial heard testimony from 14 survivors and 19 other witnesses. Proceedings were broadcast live on television and other media platforms, attracting widespread public attention.

Kátia Giane Pacheco Siqueira, a former Kiss employee and one of the survivors, testified as she described the 21 days she spent in the hospital with burns on 40% of her body.

"I shouted that I did not want to die," she recalls. She also said the nightclub's policy was: "The more people inside, the better."

Elissandro Spohr and Mauro Hoffmann, the nightclub owners, were sentenced to 22 and 19 years in prison. Orchestra members Marcelo de Jesus dos Santos and Luciano Bonilha Leão were each sentenced to 18 years in prison.

However, the four were released immediately and remained free while their lawyers appealed.

The disaster, one of Brazil's deadliest fires, has led to a review of safety regulations in nightclubs and similar places across the country.