After Deadly Fire Romania Nightclub Owners Admit They Put People at Risk

Three Romanian nightclubs have apologized to patrons for putting their lives at risk, and one will close permanently while the others will be upgraded, following a deadly nightclub fire in the Romanian capital, Bucharest.

The owner of Expirat, Andrei Sosa, said Monday he is closing the club for good. He said his Bucharest venue has only one exit door. “I apologize and I take responsibility. From 2003 I have put the lives of thousands in danger. Weekend after weekend and sometimes during the week.”

Rockstadt, the biggest venue for rock music in the central city of Brasov, said in a statement on its Facebook page it will close for 10 days to replace foam similar to that which caught alight in the Colectiv club, install sprinklers and bring the club up to European standards.

In Iasi, northeastern Romania, La Baza club apologized for not meeting minimum safety requirements. “We consider we have been ignorant and irresponsible. We were lucky. We don’t want to put anyone’s life in danger,” it said on its Facebook page.

Romanian prosecutors say three nightclub owners are suspected of manslaughter and involuntary bodily harm in a fire that killed 30 and injured 180.

The three owners of the Colectiv nightclub were questioned by prosecutors Monday in connection with the fire that engulfed the club Friday night, causing a stampede to a single exit door of the basement club. Victims died from inhaling noxious gases, preliminary forensic tests show.

Some 90 people are still hospitalized in serious or critical condition, many with complex burns. Officials say the death toll is likely to rise.

Witnesses say the blaze erupted after a spark on stage from a heavy-metal pyrotechnics show ignited foam decor.

Many have criticized the single exit door and the flammable soundproof foam used in the club.