Counterfeit Chinese Fireworks Blamed for the Deadly Russian Nightclub Fire

A politician from the ruling United Russia party blamed counterfeit Chinese fireworks for the fire that engulfed the Lame Horse nightclub in the city of Perm, west-central Russia, on December 5, 2009, killing more than 150 and injuring 160 people.

“Russia is flooded with counterfeit fireworks. Most of them come from China, but there are other countries involved,” Dmitry Polikanov, advisor to the Head of the Central Executive Committee at the United Russia party, told Russia Today, adding that the cheap, low-quality pyrotechnics caused the deadly fire.

The Lame Horse nightclub fire was one of the greatest disasters that occurred in Russia last year. It started when sparks from the fireworks ignited the low, plastic ceiling. The visitors died from smoke inhalation, burns and in the panic-induced stampede.

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Source: Global Times