A devastating nightclub fire in North Macedonia claimed the lives of at least 59 people, including a 25-year-old soccer player. He is now being remembered by his club and teammates for his final heroic act.

The tragic blaze broke out at the Pulse club in Kocani around 2:30 a.m. local time on Sunday, where nearly 500 people had gathered to watch a concert by the popular hip-hop duo DNK.

Witnesses say chaos erupted as the flames spread rapidly, leaving little time for an orderly evacuation. Authorities revealed that the fire started when sparks from pyrotechnic effects ignited the club’s ceiling, which was made of highly flammable material.

Footage from the event shows two flares going off on stage, quickly setting the ceiling ablaze. Some videos capture people desperately trying to extinguish the flames while others remained in the club, unaware of the growing danger.

Panic soon set in as attendees rushed toward the venue’s only functional exit, leading to a deadly stampede. The nightclub, previously a carpet warehouse, was operating without a legal license, according to Interior Minister Pance Toskovski.

Officials reported that the building had only one efficient exit, as its back door was locked and could not be used.

Biljana Arsovska, spokesperson for the public prosecutor’s office, noted several other serious safety violations, including a lack of functioning fire-extinguishing systems and an inadequate emergency response plan.

Survivors described horrifying scenes as people fought to escape. Marija Taseva, 20, recalled being caught in the crowd as people scrambled for the exits. “I don’t know how, but somehow I managed to get out,” she told reporters.

“I’m fine now, but there are many dead.” She later confirmed that her 25-year-old sister had died in the fire, saying, “I was saved and she wasn’t.”

Lazarov, a soccer player for Football Club Shkupi, lost his life while courageously trying to help others flee. In a heartfelt statement, the club described him as a “heroic soul” who risked everything to assist those trapped inside.

“He was overcome by smoke inhalation during his efforts to save lives, demonstrating courage and humanity until his final moments,” the statement read. While he had only been with Shkupi for six months, the club vowed that his name would forever be remembered as part of their team.

“His memory will always be cherished in our hearts,” the club stated. Lazarov’s passing sent shockwaves through the football community at large, with his former club, HNK Gorica, also honoring his memory with a tribute on Instagram.

“You will forever remain a part of our family,” they captioned a post of the later soccer player. The 25-year-old had signed with the Croatian club in January 2024 before later joining Football Club Shkupi.

His selfless actions in the face of disaster have made him a symbol of courage and heroism, ensuring that his legacy lives on beyond the pitch.

As for the aftermath of the fire, Red Cross volunteer Mustafa Saidov said, “The situation is brutal, chaotic. The stories are very sad, and unfortunately many young lives are lost.”

Emergency responders confirmed that many of the victims suffered severe burns and smoke inhalation, with over 20 of the injured and three of the deceased being minors. Some critically wounded victims were transferred to specialist clinics in Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia, and Turkey for advanced medical care.

The North Macedonian government has since detained 15 individuals linked to the venue’s operations, citing suspicions of bribery and corruption in how the nightclub was allowed to function despite its numerous safety violations.

Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski called it one of the deadliest tragedies in the country’s history and declared seven days of national mourning.

North Macedonia’s President, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, expressed her deep sorrow, stating she was shocked “as a mother, as a person, as a president.”

Addressing the bereaved directly, she added, “Your immense pain is mine too.” She also called for stricter safety measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Marta Kos’, the European Commissioner for Enlargement, also posted a tribute on X, sharing in part, “Deeply saddened by the tragic fire in Kočani North Macedonia, which claimed lives of too many young people.

Lazarov’s tragic passing is a heartbreaking reminder of the recent losses in the sports world. In February, UNLV football player Ben Christman passed away at the age of 21, leaving those who knew him mourning another young athlete gone too soon.