Peru Night Club Fire Kills 25

Sunday, July 21, 2002

LIMA, Peru, July 20 -- A fire ripped through a packed disco in the Peruvian capital today after a fire-eater ignited curtains during his performance, killing at least 26 people, officials said.

Firefighters said more than 40 people were injured. More victims were feared trapped inside the Utopia disco in an upscale neighborhood of Lima

The fire started around 3 a.m. during a party, also featuring live animals in cages, to celebrate the disco's second month open to the public. A lion and tiger that were part of the show also perished in the fire.

In December, Peruvian officials vowed to step up fire safety standards after more than 300 people died when a fireworks store in a poor shopping district of central Lima caught fire.

But authorities said the disco, which was operating illegally, lacked fire safety features such as clearly marked exits and sprinklers.

Canal N cable television said alcohol was thrown on the flames, causing them to spread rapidly. And a radio station quoted a witness as saying that people thought it was part of the show when the ceiling caught fire.