The Malatesta Room in Santiago faced a challenging incident when an intense smoke cloud spread through the venue during a late-night event. Approximately a hundred people were evacuated around one o’clock in the morning, while attendees who had come to enjoy the final performance of three planned groups were guided to safety. There were no injuries and no substantial property damage reported despite the dense smoke that briefly enveloped the space.
According to sources familiar with the situation, the fire was linked to a Prensa Ibérica group facility situated on San Lourenzo Street. Investigations point to a heat buildup around an LED lighting line housed in the suspended ceiling that runs the length of the room. Although no visible flames were seen, overheating in an electrical panel caused a large amount of smoke to fill the venue. The incident occurred while the room was active, with staff and some guests among the 80 tickets sold for the concert. The venue’s door staff promptly deployed a fire extinguisher to the ceiling area releasing the most smoke.
Authorities from the Malatesta jurisdiction arrived promptly at the scene. The National Police, along with emergency services, activated at the site as part of the coordinated response. The Santiago Fire Brigade began locating the source of heat, focusing on the suspended ceiling where insulation blankets and LED wiring were in place. The investigation indicates one of the feed points for the lighting lines overheated, triggering the smoke and the associated risk. Fire crews conducted ventilation to clear the dense smoke, and there was no need to apply full flame suppression at the time of assessment.
The fire department’s account aligns with the establishment owner’s version of events. The service was dispatched shortly after a report was received through emergency channels indicating a fire in the lighting system within the Malatesta Room. A team comprising six firefighters and a sergeant arrived, equipped with respiratory protection. They entered the building to evaluate the situation and to ensure the safety of everyone inside.
Upon arrival, a rapid check confirmed that the venue had been emptied of occupants. A thermal imaging camera was used to confirm the absence of remaining heat sources and to pinpoint the primary ignition area. The main heat source was found to be related to electrical wiring in a portion of the room. The initial fire had already been contained by facility staff, who continued to manage hot debris and ventilate the space under ongoing supervision. The incident was recorded as resolved by the responding teams later that night, with the active service ending in the early hours. The careful coordination between the venue staff and emergency responders helped limit potential harm and ensure everyone’s safety.