North Macedonia club fire live: 59 killed, 155 wounded in concert blaze

Videos posted on social media networks and shot before the fire started show the use of “stage fountains” – a type of indoor fireworks used during performances.

As they were set off, “the sparks caught the ceiling, which was made of easily flammable material, after which the fire rapidly spread across the whole discotheque, creating thick smoke”, said Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski.

The establishment was packed with more than 1,000 mostly young fans to see the popular pop band DNK.

North Macedonia’s government is expected to declare a seven-day mourning period for the victims of the nightclub fire in Kocani, reports the country’s Sloboden Pecat newspaper.

It is also planning to order emergency inspections of all nightclubs and restaurant venues that host parties, according to the publication.

As we reported earlier, Interior Minister Pance Toshkovski has said officials would take steps to ensure “something like this doesn’t happen again”.