Mexico shuts 8 night spots after deadly blaze

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -- Mexico City officials shut down eight discos, bars and other night spots for safety violations in a crackdown following a blaze that killed 20 people at a crowded disco last week, authorities said Friday.

The closures followed a sweep of bars and dance halls late Thursday night by Mexico City Mayor Rosario Robles, who had vowed to eliminate the corruption that has prevented the city from closing fire-trap night spots.

The official Notimex news agency said in addition to the mayor, some 100 police officers took part in the sweep, which led to the arrest of 47 men and 52 women.

Robles made the tour one week after a blaze engulfed the Mexico City disco "Lobohombo." The city's forensic service said after the fire that 19 had died. The death of a teen-age burn victim Thursday brought the toll to 20.

The fire raised questions about how such clubs, many of which lack proper wiring and emergency exits and are known centers of drug dealing and prostitution, stay open despite repeated citations by the city.

Mexico City officials have said many judges are on club owners' payrolls and grant injunctions to keep the night spots running.

Radio Formula reported Friday that two of the clubs closed Thursday were owned by Alejandro Iglesias, the proprietor of the doomed Lobohombo. Robles has ordered his arrest on charges of negligent homicide.

Survivors of the Lobohombo fire said their escape from the salsa dance hall was obstructed by doormen, who initially refused to let patrons exit unless they showed proof they had paid their tabs.

Forensic evidence showed the Lobohombo fire was caused by a short circuit in the electrical system, the Mexico City Attorney General's Office said.

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