REMEMBER WHEN

GOLD Coast nightclubs faced being reported to the Licencing Commission following a fire scare and evacuation of a club which led to dozens of people being treated for gas inhalation.

The incident at the Tallebudgera Playroom during which a fire extinguisher was let off sparked a warning from South Coast Fire Brigade chief Kev Bayliss against overcrowding of nightclubs.

“I issue a stern warning to Gold Coats nightclubs that we will be pursuing overcrowding and the failure to abide by safety regulations. We will not hesitate bringing these matters to the attention of the Licencing Commission,” Mr Bayliss said.

He said the fire brigade received a call at 1am on the previous Sunday that the Playroom was being evacuated.

“There was no fire but someone with a limited mental capacity had discharged a dry powder extinguisher on the upper level. This has a distinct suffocating affect,” he said.

He said the discharging powder looked like smoke and caused a panic situation.

Two women were taken to the Tweed Heads Hospital with gas inhalation and others were given oxygen by ambulance men and firemen at the scene.

“The building was overcrowded and this is what can happen in a fire situation.” he said.

“We suspect this is happening in a lot of night clubs and I cannot stress enough the danger of overcrowding.

“In this case the discomfort and injury to people is a glaring example of what can happen.

“If there had been a fire there could have been a tragedy here.”