Eighty-seven people died in the resulting fire. Nineteen bodies were found downstairs; the others upstairs. Six bodies were found within several feet of the front door. Some of those trapped punched a hole through a wall to an adjoining union hall in an attempt to escape. Most of the deaths were from asphyxiation or trampling. Most of the victims were young Hondurans celebrating Carnival, largely drawn from members of the local Garifuna American community. 150 firemen responded to the blaze, which was extinguished in just five minutes.