The morning after a fire ravaged a popular nightclub in Perm, Russia…

The mood is somber as scores of policemen stand guard outside the Lame Horse club.

Local residents place red carnations in the snow near the nightclub at news of the tragedy.

The night before, an indoor firework show ripped through the crowded Russian nightclub, killing at least 10 and injuring over 130 others.

It was around midnight local time Friday evening when a stray firework sparked the blaze that quickly filled the Lame Horse with toxic smoke.

More that 200 people were in the club at the time.

One man said he was told the ceiling caught fire first.

[Unidentified Witness]:
"They said everything began burning from the ceiling, and then they noticed smoke. They called the firemen who said, "We are coming, don't panic, stay where you are."

Perm Emergencies Minister Oleg Popov says 21 people are in a critical condition.

[Oleg Popov, Emergency Service Head, Perm Region]:
"The injuries are mainly on the upper respiratory system, head and brain injuries and damage from burning objects, in short poisoning."

One witness said dozens of charred bodies were piled on the pavement outside the club as medics moved the injured into ambulances.

Amateur video footage shows a happy crowd enjoying the nightclub’s eighth anniversary.

A show presenter suddenly announces: "Ladies and gentlemen, we are on fire. Leave the hall. Line up in a queue (to exit)."

Then the camera moved to show fire spreading fast along the ceiling covered in reeds. Many revelers slowly moved to a narrow exit -- some still sipping cocktails and smoking.

A few moments later heavy smoke filled the halls triggering a stampede.

The crowd tried to escape through narrow doors.

Officials have in the past blamed poor fire safety standards for high death tolls in fires at orphanages, hospitals and other institutions.

But Friday's nightclub fire was one of Russia's most deadly in recent years.