The Kiss nightclub fire started between 2:00 and 2:30 a.m. (BRST)[3] on 27 January 2013 in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, killing 242 people and injuring at least 630 others.

The party, called "Agromerados", organized by students from six faculties and technical courses at the Federal University of Santa Maria, began on Saturday, 26 January 2013 at 23:00 UTC.

In the early morning hours of 27 January 2013, a fire broke out while students from the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM) were holding a freshers' ball.

[10] Brazilian police stated that the fire began when the band Gurizada Fandangueira[11] ignited a pyrotechnic device (similar to a signaling flare) while performing on stage.

[14][15] According to the authorities, other reasons for the high death toll include the lack of emergency exits (the only access in and out of the building was the front door) and the fact that the number of people inside exceeded the maximum capacity by hundreds.

[16] Colonel Guido Pedroso de Melo of the Rio Grande do Sul Fire Department stated that the club's front door was locked.

De Melo told CNN: "This overcrowding made it difficult for people to leave, and according to the information we have, the security guards trapped the victims inside.

"[17] About 90 percent of the victims succumbed to smoke inhalation,[18] specifically cyanide, which was among the toxic chemicals produced when fire consumed the soundproofing foam on the club’s ceiling.

[22] Based on an investigation and the accounts of survivors, the cause of the fire was found to be an illegal firework device that ignited the acoustic foam on the ceiling.