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Brazilians are still in shock at devastating loss of life after nightclub fire in city of Santa Maria in southern Rio Grande do Sul state. The blaze at Kiss club has so far claimed lives of 236 partygoers. 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 cause of such high number of fatalities. They blame highly flammable and toxic foam that was used to soundproof club. Santa Maria police chief Marcelo Arigony told reporters: "If it weren't for this material, no one would have died." police also blamed faulty fire extinguishers and alarms, and single obstructed emergency exit.

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