A fatal fire occurred on 19 April 2008 at the Factory nightclub in Quito during a live rock concert. The incident resulted in the deaths of at least 14 individuals, although some reports cited higher fatality figures of up to 15 or 19, and a substantial number of additional patrons were injured. Those affected were predominantly young adults, generally reported to be between 19 and 26 years of age.

The fire was initiated by the use of indoor pyrotechnics as part of the concert performance. Specifically, a Roman candle was discharged and ignited flammable ceiling decorations constructed from cardboard and fabric. Once ignited, the fire spread rapidly across the interior, producing intense heat and smoke that quickly overwhelmed occupants.

The severity of the incident was significantly exacerbated by serious safety deficiencies within the venue. Emergency exit doors were reportedly closed and padlocked at the time of the fire, preventing timely evacuation and trapping patrons inside. Rescue efforts were severely hampered, requiring firefighters to breach walls using axes and sledgehammers in order to reach those trapped. It was subsequently established that the nightclub did not possess the necessary authorisation to host the event.

In the aftermath, municipal authorities declared three days of official mourning and announced intentions to pursue legal action in conjunction with the victims’ families. The disaster drew widespread attention to inadequate fire safety provisions, poor regulatory enforcement, and the absence of effective emergency planning in entertainment venues, both within Ecuador and more broadly across parts of Latin America.