A heroic act by 25-year-old footballer Andrej Lazarov ended in tragedy during a devastating fire at a North Macedonia nightclub.

According to the Daily Mail, the FC Shkupi player lost his life while attempting to save others from a catastrophic fire that claimed at least 59 lives and injured more than 155 people at the Pulse nightclub in Kocani.

The incident unfolded in the early hours of Sunday when flames engulfed the venue during a performance by hip-hop duo DNK. Lazarov, a former youth international for Macedonia who had recently joined FC Shkupi in September, demonstrated extraordinary courage in his final moments.

Tragic turn at packed concert venue

More than 1,000 concertgoers had gathered at the Pulse club, located approximately 100 kilometers east of Skopje, for what should have been an ordinary night of entertainment.

The performance began around midnight, with the devastating fire breaking out at approximately 3 am local time. Indoor fireworks, specifically stage jets used during the concert, reportedly triggered the catastrophic chain of events.

Minister of the Interior Pance Toskovski provided crucial insights into the fire's origin, explaining that sparks from the pyrotechnics likely ignited the venue's highly flammable ceiling material. The rapid spread of flames created thick smoke throughout the establishment, leaving little time for evacuation.

Video footage from the scene revealed the terrifying progression of events, showing concert attendees' initial attempts to extinguish ceiling flames before the situation spiraled out of control. Multiple eyewitnesses reported that several deaths occurred during the ensuing panic as people rushed to escape.

FC Shkupi honors fallen hero

The club paid tribute to their player through an emotional statement. FC Shkupi wrote:

With deep sorrow, we announce that our footballer Andrej Lazarov was among the victims of the tragic fire in Kočani. As the heroic person he was, Lazarov lost his life while trying to help others escape the flames. During his courageous act, he was overcome by smoke. His bravery and humanity in those final moments will always be remembered.

Local emergency services mounted a massive response operation, with firefighters from neighboring towns rushing to assist. The scope of the tragedy overwhelmed local medical facilities, necessitating the transport of injured victims to multiple hospitals. Kocani Hospital Director Kristina Serafimova confirmed that 30 patients received treatment at their facility, while 60 others required transfer to alternative medical centers.

The severity of the situation prompted the deployment of helicopters to ferry critically injured victims to hospitals in Skopje. Most casualties fell between the ages of 14 and 25, highlighting the particularly devastating impact on the region's youth.

Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski expressed his profound grief over the incident, emphasizing the government's commitment to supporting affected families. The Ministry of Interior has launched an investigation, interviewing individuals connected to the concert to determine the full circumstances of the tragedy.

International response and investigation developments

The international community has begun expressing condolences, with UK ambassador to North Macedonia Matthew Lawson sharing his sympathies through social media.

Authorities continue gathering evidence and testimonies to piece together the exact sequence of events that led to this catastrophic incident.