Soccer Player Andrej Lazarov Dead at 25 After Reportedly Trying to Save Lives in Fatal Fire

Professional soccer player Andrej Lazarov was among more than 50 people who died Sunday, March 16, in a fire at the Pulse club in Kočani in North Macedonia. He was 25.

Lazarov’s club FC Shkupi confirmed the news on the team’s official Facebook page.

The young athlete “lost his life trying to help others escape the fire-stricken space,” the club wrote of his passing. “He suffocated from smoke during his attempts to save lives, showing courage and humanity until the very last moment. His heroic act will forever remain in our memory, as a testament to his noble character and his big heart.”

The club also described Lazarov’s untimely passing as a “huge loss” for the team. “Words are small to describe the pain we are feeling right now, in this tragedy — one of the biggest hit by our club in its history,” the post read.

North Macedonia’s Interior Minister, Panche Toshkovskithe, stated that the fire began around 3:00 a.m. local time during a press conference on Sunday. At least 59 people have died and more than 155 were injured in the blaze, according to Toshkkovskithe.

The Associated Press reported that the fire was likely caused after pyrotechnics on stage hit the ceiling during the band DNK’s set. “We even tried to get out through the bathroom, only to find bars (on the windows),” Marija Taseva, who was at the event, told the AP. “I somehow managed to get out. I fell down the stairs and they ran over me, trampled me. … I barely stayed alive and could hardly breathe.”

The blaze also caused the roof of the building to partially collapse. Authorities have since blocked off the site. An account on X called The Informant also reported that 27 of the injured were treated at Skopje City Hospital, while 23 others were treated at the city’s Clinical Center. “Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski called it a tragic day, urging support for the victims and their families,” the account noted.

Toshkovskithe also said 15 people have been detained for questioning after authorities found out the club was operating without the proper license. “We have grounds for suspicion that there is bribery and corruption in this case,” he also said.

In September 2024, Grinta Agency announced Lazarov had signed to the North Macedonian soccer team.

“We’re happy to announce Andrej Lazarov will be part of FC Shkupi for the 2024/25 season,” the agency wrote on Facebook at the time. “The talented midfielder is back in the league in which he contributed in 15 goals/assists the last time around.”