You were not approaching that area at all. Jim Axelrod: To people who feel that the two of you have never said we own this what do you say? His work was instrumental in amassing 176 million dollars in settlements from persons and corporations responsible for the fire. [56], The sentence drew mixed reactions in the courtroom. It had to be two minutes tops before the whole place was black smoke. Well, I guess once we all started to turn toward the door, and we got bottle-necked into the front door, people just kept pushing, and eventually everyone popped out of the door, including myself. And why wasn't the foam company charged? Greatly., Things that bother people you sit there and you shake your head and you go, if this is the worst thing that happens to me today, this month, this year, this decade, I mean, at that point its one of those things. The tragedy, she said, heightened her appreciation of the life she was allowed, for whatever reason, to continue. Jim Axelrod: How do you know he went in nine times? The brother's plea deal stated only one of them would go to prison. [11] Although the band was officially known as Jack Russell's Great White at the time, and their tour was initially named after Russell's 2002 solo album For You, they were billed by the Station as simply Great White. there are other people who should be responsible. The crime scene evidence that convicted Alex Murdaugh, How a tragic boating crash is connected to the family of Alex Murdaugh, Five deaths with a connection to Alex Murdaugh's family investigated, Husband of woman murdered with an ax convicted 40 years after her death. One near the bar. It just so happens that we're . And so, when the fire inspector came in and said that that door had to come down the door, the door did come down. On May 10, 2006, State Prosecutor Randall White asked that Biechele be sentenced to ten years in prison, the maximum allowed under the plea bargain, citing the massive loss of life in the fire and the need to send a message. JEFF DERDERIAN [crying]: Many people didn't make it out and that is a horror that will haunt my family and I for the rest of our lives. Updated on: October 24, 2021 / 2:07 AM They promoted the event. The Station Fire: 100 victims in photos The Station Fire: 100 victims in photos 98 PHOTOS More Stories Has fire prevention in RI improved since The Station fire? Survivors of the Station nightclub fire reflect on tragedy's 20th anniversary One hundred people were killed and many more injured when a pyrotechnic display caused a massive blaze in 2003.. Within weeks, the National Fire Protection Association committee met to regulate code for "assembly occupancies." Lourdes Aguiar is the senior producer. I had the fire extinguisher in my hand, Vanner said. once you could no longer see, it was total pandemonium. I am proud. I come down every year and play the [bagpipes], he told WCVB. Nine friends didnt. [9] American Foam refuted the claims in Warner's fax. According to Lynch, under Rhode Island law, the fire marshal could not be criminally charged unless there was evidence of bad faith or malice. Inspection records showed that just three months before the fire, the Derderians had been cited by the local fire marshal for having a secondary, interior door by the stage that opened inward, which violated regulations. It was liquid fire," says former Attorney General Patrick Lynch, who investigated the disaster. The Derderians say despite their love for the club the business had peaked, and they were in the process of selling it. It did not. A West Warwick police officer who was already at the scene also reported the fire to police dispatch. Patrick Lynch: Did he do his job perfectly? These TIAs were subsequently incorporated into the 2006 edition of NFPA 101, along with additional exit requirements for new nightclub occupancies. The four exits inside The Station: "There's an exit near the stage an exit through the kitchen. Fifteen years since that terrible night. And I was paying staff pricing for beer because I knew a guy. People recall the events of the fourth deadliest night club fire in U.S. history. Tweet. And they're quick to point out the club was inspected by their insurance company, and multiple times by the local Fire Marshal Denis Laroque. [2] The club was cited for nine minor code violations during the first inspection in November 2002, but was not cited for the flammable polyurethane foam the venue used for soundproofing, which was against code. The Station nightclub fire occurred on the evening of February 20, 2003 at The Station, a nightclub and hard rock music venue in West Warwick, Rhode Island, United States, killing 100 people and injuring 230. [9], The foam was sold to the Derderians by American Foam. [9] The ensuing crowd crush in the narrow hallway led to that exit being blocked completely and resulted in numerous deaths and injuries among the patrons and staff. Editor's Note: This story was originally published on Monday, Feb. 19, 2018. Joe Kinan was badly burned in the deadly Station Nightclub fire in Rhode Island that left 100 dead and 230 injured in February 2003 . But then the door would go back up when it was going to be a loud night. And I hear [moves her arms to the side with a whoosh] and out Deb went. [95], Russell performed a benefit show in February 2013 in Hermosa Beach, California in commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the fire. these contracts are pretty specific. And I never expected it to take off as fast as it did. On May 20, 2003, nondenominational services began to be held at the site of the fire for a number of months. [62], In a letter to the victims' families, Judge Darigan wrote that he accepted the deal because he wanted to avoid "Public exposition of the tragic, explicit and horrific events experienced by the victims of this fire, both living and dead. And then, ever so slowly, he learned to walk again. [89] Kendall said in 2005, "We haven't played that song. [4] The nightclub was purchased by brothers Michael and Jeffrey Derderian in March 2000. The brothers have since learned that the fire marshal should have tested the foam on the wall. Everybody just kind of turned. On February 20, 2003, in West Warwick, Rhode Island, the fourth deadliest nightclub fire in United States history occurred in The Station nightclub. [9], Thousands of mourners attended an interfaith memorial service at St. Gregory the Great Church in Warwick on February 24, 2003, to remember those lost in the fire. It was already in contract. And I fell down the stairs, out that door. *One SAVE card issued per household that experiences 25% or greater damage to a primary residence. The answer is no. Michael Derderian: Take this stuff down. I never wanted anyone to be hurt in any way. To the right is this much larger space in front of a stage. Michael Derderian: Zero. The club was not equipped with sprinklers, according to the NIST, and crowding at the buildings main entrance made it difficult for people to escape. [6], Great White, the headlining band of the February 20 concert, had risen to fame as part of the glam metal scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s. The brothers have always maintained that they never gave the band permission to use pyrotechnics. [96] By 2013, Russell's group had resumed playing "Desert Moon". The club was sold. To satisfy noise complaints from neighbors, the brothers had installed foam along the club's walls and ceilings. He still remembers that deadly night. [9], The fire was reported to the West Warwick Fire Department by cellular phone calls to 911 within sixty seconds of ignition[24]. Their story starts three years before the fire. One hundred people died, and hundreds more suffered. Jeff Derderian: We feel a sense of guilt about what happened in the sense that you carry the guilt of knowing that these people aren't here anymore, and these people are hurt for the rest of their life. The following day the brothers responded at a press conference: JEFF DERDERIAN: No permission was ever requested by the band or any of its agents to use pyrotechnics at The Station, and no permission was ever given. Gina Russo, a survivor of The Station nightclub fire. Jeff Derderian: this is flammable you can't have this. I couldn't hear screaming anymore. Jody King: Nine different families have come up to me and said "thank you for having a great brother. That night, he allowed a cameraman to shoot footage inside the club for an upcoming story about safety in public venues. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. The fire began as rock band Great White played to the crowd. We haven't played it since then and probably never will. America's Deadliest Rock Concert: The Guest List explores the Station nightclub fire through gripping survivor accounts and family members and friends of victims who have memorialized their loss . Linda Saran: I said, "you know what? We screwed up." Almost immediately the finger pointing started. The Guest List is based in part on John Barylick's narrative non-fiction work, killer show, the station nightclub fire, America's deadliest rock concert. Jody King: We never knew the whole story because the trial never happened, so everything really never came out. [95][49], Neither version of Great White performed in any of the six New England states for over a decade following the fire. [39] WPRI-TV and Derderian were criticized for the conflict of interest in having a reporter do a report concerning his own property. [92], Russell left Great White in 2010. I don't even like to talk about it. She had a cellphone that was working and handed it off to anyone who needed to call home and let their family know they were safe. February 20 is the 19th anniversary of the tragic fire that killed 100 and injured another 230 people at The Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island. [2], Prior to the fire, the Station often hosted concerts by 1980s hard rock groups and tribute bands. And 18 years after the fire, the brothers say they want to set the record straight and reveal new information. But many, including the brothers, feel strongly Laroque should also have been charged. Tracy died never giving up. They all later accepted plea deals. [21] The Station did not have a sprinkler system installed. But she refuses to live in the past. For years, he worked in Boston for Channel 7. But when Warner was called before the grand jury, he was not asked about the allegations he made in the fax. [4] No occupants were in the building during the 1972 fire, but the interior was significantly damaged. That's all I can keep seeing in my head. People say they just feel peaceful, Russo told the Globe. Nothing lifts his despair. In December 2003, nine months after the fire, Jeff and Michael Derderian were in court, each charged with 200 counts of involuntary manslaughter 100 for criminal negligence, and 100 for misdemeanor manslaughter. Barr says when he came to, he felt excruciating pain near the base of his spine and burning on his face. [60], Following Biechele's trial, The Station's owners, Michael and Jeffrey Derderian, were scheduled to receive separate trials. This trial was scheduled to start May 1, 2006, but Biechele, against his lawyers' advice,[52] pleaded guilty to 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter on February 7, 2006, in what he said was an effort to "bring peace, I want this to be over with."[52]. "There really weren't that many people around early in the night. In my head, I didnt even belong with them because I walked out without a scratch.. Lying on the floor not far from the horseshoe bar, Barr lost consciousness. I've been after this bike for over 4 years and I finally got the call! The morning after the fire, the lead singer of Great White, Jack Russell, claimed the brothers had given the band permission to set off the fireworks. The second was the time from that night until the dedication of the memorial last spring. Patrick Lynch: They are running the operation. He said if there's. The flanking gerbs became the principal cause of the fire. Jody King: Hopped out of bed, grabbed my clothes, grabbed my keys, hopped in the car and took off. Dan Biechele, center, at his sentencing. "We have 39 confirmed fatalities, and we are still in the process of searching the rubble. And settled for $1 million. Jim Axelrod: And then it just got engulfed in flames? They said a critical piece of evidence was never presented to the grand jury. It looked like it was raining black fire. [2], The first criminal trial was against Great White's tour manager, Daniel Michael Biechele, 26, from Orlando, Florida. I needed for that day to come, she said. ", "Fire in a nightclub: the band; group persevered by making circuit of smaller clubs", "How tragedy inspired one member of Great White", "Rhode Island Remembers Victims Of Deadly GREAT WHITE Concert Fire", "Club, band dispute permission to use fireworks - Feb. 22, 2003", "Memories sear survivor of fire that killed 100 in 2003", "Parents mourn loss of only child in nightclub fire, but cherish time they had after first near-death experience", "Radio station to remain in fire lawsuits", "Clear Channel agrees to pay $22 million to nightclub fire victims", "Portraits of people who died in the R.I. nightclub fire", "Timeline: What happened the night of the Station nightclub fire? [48] Larocque had set various capacities for the Station in the years prior to the fire based on whether pool tables and other items could be moved. But I made a choice. And people stood and watched it, and some people backed off. [9] Jeffrey Derderian said the door was also installed due to noise, and they had removed it as asked, but sometimes re-installed it if the venue was going to be loud that night, and it was used by the band to escape the building during the fire. The Derderians say that in the three years they owned the club, no one ever questioned the safety of the foam. VIEW ALL PHOTOS. He says he managed to escape through the front door before a stampede of people got stuck in the narrow hallway and blocked the exit. He don't know. But with last years dedication of the Station Memorial Park on the site of the nightclub, she said she found that along with the scars, that night had provided her with a purpose in life and people she would otherwise never have known.