Panic surged through the venue in mere moments as the ceiling itself seemed to catch fire. Survivors describe a scene of absolute horror, where the transition from celebration to survival mode happened in the blink of an eye. "Seconds later, the entire ceiling was burning," reported one witness, highlighting the terrifying speed of the blaze. Desperate to escape the inferno, trapped patrons resorted to smashing windows with chairs, while others, already engulfed in flames, poured into the freezing street screaming for help.
Alexis Lagger, 18, witnessed the carnage firsthand. "People were running through the flames," he recounted, describing a chaotic stampede as the 200-strong crowd fought for their lives. The venue, which includes a basement level, became a suffocating labyrinth. One survivor, Alex, recalled the chilling realization that dozens might be trapped below, with only a narrow staircase offering a path to safety. The air was thick with the smell of melted plastic and gas, a sensory nightmare that survivors will likely carry forever.