Russian Nightclub Fire Kills 109, Injures 140

A fire at the Lame Horse nightclub in Russian city Perm has claimed the lives of 109 people, after the blaze spread quickly throughout the roof and walls.

A night that was supposed to be a celebration for the nightclub's 8th anniversary quickly turned into a horror scenario, as a collection of fireworks ignited the ceiling and walls of the Lame Horse in Perm. The fire spread within seconds because the theme of the night was a barn. The death toll rose quickly as many succumbed to their wounds or died in the hospital from smoke inhalation. Others died during the stampede as party-goers rushed towards the only exit, trampling each other in an effort to avoid the smoke that enveloped the nightclub within seconds. At least 140 others were injured in the blaze. Russian television outside the building showed the true carnage, as emergency workers treated some victims that had severe burns. Officials ruled out the chance that the blaze was a terrorist attack, finding no traces of other explosives in the charred remains of the building. The blaze comes just a week after a bomb on a busy train line near St. Petersburg killed 26 and renewed fears about terrorism on Russian soil. Meanwhile, President Dmitry Medvedev called the nightclub tragedy a criminal act, stating that those responsible "had neither brains, nor conscience." In addition, he declared December 7th a national day of mourning for the victims. The owner of the club had been arrested Saturday. The club had been in violation of fire safety laws, which are already reported to be some of the most lax and least enforced amongst the developed nations.