Brazilians are still in shock at the devastating loss of life after the nightclub fire in the city of Santa Maria in southern Rio Grande do Sul state. The blaze at the Kiss club has so far claimed the lives of 236 partygoers. The death toll could rise as another 87 people are fighting for their life on respirators in intensive care units. Investigators have been quick to ascertain the cause of such a high number of fatalities. They blame a highly flammable and toxic foam that was used to soundproof the club. Santa Maria police chief Marcelo Arigony told reporters: "If it weren't for this material, no one would have died." The police also blamed faulty fire extinguishers and alarms, and a single obstructed emergency exit.

The co-owner of the nightclub is blaming "the whole country" for the disaster. Elissandro Spohr, 28, has been arrested by police for operating a nightclub without a valid license after his club's safety certificate expired last year. He is currently in a hospital after trying to commit suicide. He reportedly told police officers he no longer has the will to live and regrets he was ever born. His lawyer says Mr Spohr blames all the inspectors who approved the plans for the nightclub, saying: "My client's responsibility is having trusted too much in the inspectors and in those responsible for the construction." He denies police reports of overcrowding – that 1,200 people were in a place with a capacity of 700.