It was crowded, and it was getting bad. The brothers decided that because Jeff had young kids, Michael would go. Scott James: You have four exits. Scott James: When people arrive, they walk through this entrance and this kinda longish hallway. It's not just about hitting the next goal but doing something really meaningful. Petrarca remembers one of the most beautiful moments shes had. I refused to accept that as the outcome. fine against Station Nightclub owners upheld", "Station nightclub fire survivor tells how she's moved on in new book", "The Station fire took emotional toll on survivors, study finds", "Tentative $30 million deal in R. I. nightclub fire", "TV station that assigned reporter to cover his own nightclub raises ethical issue", "Station Video Spurs Lawsuit - Pollstar News", "Nightclub owner resigns from WPRI television", "Report of the Technical Investigation of The Station Nightclub Fire: Appendices (NIST NCSTAR 2), Volume 2", "Grand Jury Convened to Probe Deadly R.I. These are videos of prior performances taken inside the club. Two years after the fire at The Station nightclub, the Derderians learned about a piece of evidence they say is important that was never presented to the grand jury: an eight-page fax sent to the Attorney General's Office anonymously just months after the fire entitled "The Fire. Scott James has written a book about the tragedy called "Trial by Fire.". [11] Dominic Santana, the owner of The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, New Jersey, told reporters that Great White had used pyrotechnics during their February 14, 2003 performance at the venue without his permission, and their contract and rider did not mention pyrotechnics displays. "We went out on a Thursday night to listen to music, drink some beers and have a good time. The Guest List: The Station Nightclub Fire, America's Deadliest Rock Concert will premiere on Sunday, February 20, 2022. [77], A benefit memorial concert was held in February 2008 at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence and featured performances by Tesla, Twisted Sister, Winger, Gretchen Wilson, and John Rich. Phil Barr: I remember the smoke descended really quickly. [tearing up] "What a great brother you have. In the months and years that followed, Jody also learned about Tracy's heroic last moments. And then on one side, I noticed it come over the top, and that's when I said, "I have to leave." [92], Russell left Great White in 2010. Gina Russo has no clear memory of how, with her hair on fire, she got out of the Station nightclub the night of Feb. 20, 2003. So, to the people who think we don't own it I'm telling you, we DO own it ok? His work was instrumental in amassing 176 million dollars in settlements from persons and corporations responsible for the fire. [85] By April 2016, $1.65 million of the $2 million fundraising goal had been achieved and construction of the Station Fire Memorial Park had commenced. [88], Russell considered disbanding Great White after the fire, but reconsidered when he decided to embark on a benefit tour. Share. ", "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? Even if he couldnt. 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. Then there's that interior, inward swinging door by the stage that Former Attorney General Patrick Lynch says was responsible for loss of life the night of the fire. into the main barroom. To the right is this much larger space in front of a stage. The night of the fire, hundreds of people gathered at The Station to see the band Great White. First of all, I don't know you would, how would you how would you accomplish the detail and the amount of new information in a news conference or, you know, a commercial or something that we would try and do on our own. On Feb. 20, 2003, 100 people were killed and more than 200 others were injured in a fire at the Station nightclub in West Warwick. And he's like he don't know. Access remains open to the public, and memorial services are held each February 20. To the families of those who died on that devastating day: Rhode Island will never forget your loved ones and we will always stand by you, McKee said in the statement. 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 . You bury nine people in a period of less than two weeks, she said, and yeah, I think it affects you. It looked like it was raining black fire. Gina Russo, who was in The Station on Feb. 20, 2003, barely made it out. [48] Some victims' families criticized the 48 Hours segment and the Derderians' involvement. Linda Saran: It's like a riptide. He was worried about his brother Tracy who worked there as a bouncer. They were friends. It was completely preventable. [12] Great White's popularity had waned in the decade prior to the Station fire, and they had been performing on a touring circuit of small clubs with capacities of up to 500 people. That effort raised about $10,000 over seven years to help pay for the construction of the memorial park. The brothers have always maintained that they never gave the band permission to use pyrotechnics. It was already in contract. He said if there's. I've been after this bike for over 4 years and I finally got the call! [49][50], Lynch told 48 Hours that his investigation found that the fire spread quickly due to the foam the Derderians had installed in the Station's walls and ceilings as a response to noise complaints. PATRICK LYNCH [press conference]: We have an investigation on going and we need help, we need answers and I'm trying to get them. Season 1. Jeffrey and Michael Derderian, the owners of the Station, pleaded no contest and avoided a trial: Michael received the same sentence as Biechele and was released from prison in 2009, while Jeffrey received a sentence of 500 hours of community service. I couldn't play an instrument. Tracy King liked to entertain people with his unique talent. "[5], Many of the survivors of the fire developed post-traumatic stress disorder after the event. So, I actually got a really good sense of the layout of the venue. On February 20, 2003, in West Warwick, Rhode Island, the fourth deadliest nightclub fire in United States history occurred in The Station nightclub. That night, he allowed a cameraman to shoot footage inside the club for an upcoming story about safety in public venues. Updated on: October 24, 2021 / 2:07 AM A National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) investigation of the fire under the authority of the National Construction Safety Team Act, using computer simulations with FDS and a mockup of the stage area and dance floor, concluded that a fire sprinkler system would have contained the fire long enough to give everyone time to exit safely. View All 100 Memorials for the The Station Nightclub Fire Site. The Derderians say despite their love for the club the business had peaked, and they were in the process of selling it. [17][16], The concert was emceed by Michael Gonsalves, a disk jockey for Providence rock radio station WHJY who was also known as "Doctor Metal". [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. In February 2006 three years after the station nightclub burned down many in Rhode Island were shocked to learn that instead of a trial, a plea deal had been reached with Daniel Biechele, the tour manager for the band Great White. But that night, leading the cameraman around was bouncer Tracy King, a dedicated husband and father of three young boys. It had to be two minutes tops before the whole place was black smoke. We have an exit through the kitchen. Tracy King worked at The Station as a bouncer. I said to myself, we gotta go. The company paid a hefty settlement and they weren't the only ones. if I had nothing to hide, then why wouldn't you why wouldn't you talk to them and tell them what you knew or what you didn't know? [9] The lack of usable exits were also a factor, as was the inward door that Larocque had found and asked to be removed. And settled for $1 million. So, the only way to pick up a can of soda would be to do this [lifting both arms out parallel in front of her]. Linda Saran: They have said they were sorry. The third started that day. The Station nightclub in West Warwick burned down on Feb. 20, 2003, during a concert by rock band Great White, leaving 100 people dead and more than 200 injured. My parents taught us a lot, a lot of things. But he didn't know what. A surgery to correct a childhood ailment with his ears left him able to balance objects on his chin. Jody King: "Anybody see Tracy?" Parole board chairwoman Lisa Holley told journalists of her surprise at the forgiving attitude of the families, saying, "I think the most overwhelming part of it for me was the depth of forgiveness of many of these families that have sustained such a loss. [58], On September 19, 2007, the Rhode Island Parole Board announced that Biechele would be released in March 2008. The fire seemed to burn quickly, she added. Vanner spoke about how his life derailed after 11:07 p.m. on Feb. 20, 2003. Jason Hahn. On February 20, 2003 at about 11:10 p.m., Jody King got a call that something was going on at The Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island. Jim Axelrod: How do you know he went in nine times? But Saturday night, as . They are speaking out about the fire for the first time. "[55] Biechele was released in March 2008. It took about five years to come to terms with that, she said. Cold air washing over me. [95] When Russell launched his version of the band in 2012, Kendall's group responded that Russell had no right to use the name. [8], Great White had two opening acts for the February 20 concert: Trip, a group from Vancouver, Washington, and Fathead, a local Rhode Island band. And they played the arenas. Barr was located between the stage and the front door. And I'm like, "OK.". 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. And then the main exit that hallway where everyone came through," explains Scott James. So many ways this could have been avoided, Matthew Hoffman, an East Greenwich, R.I. resident, told WPRI. [3] A fire had previously occurred at the building in 1972 while it was used as a restaurant called Julio's. That was his gift. A West Warwick police officer who was already at the scene also reported the fire to police dispatch. Eighteen years later, there is no consensus among survivors when it comes to blame. This is the main bar where you can get your drinks. One of the angles Lynch investigated was the Derderian brothers. When fireworks ignited the soundproofing foam on the stage wall, he ran for a fire extinguisher. He had an unlikely friend rooting for him. [15][16] All the members of Trip escaped the Station without injury, but two members of Fathead, cousins Keith and Steven Mancini, died in the fire. [21] A total of 462 people were in attendance, even though the club's maximum licensed capacity was cited as 404.[2]. [21], By this time, the nightclub's fire alarm had activated, and although there were four possible exits, most people headed for the front door through which they had entered. Jody King: As I went by the fire station fire trucks are coming out Now the question in my head is why are all these firetrucks leaving? you could not see your hand in front of your face. He had failed to get a license for the pyrotechnics from the State of Rhode Island and permits from the local fire department. Susan Nicol. CBS Boston Rhode Island Gov. But for anyone who was in The Station nightclub on Feb. 20, 2003, she said, a night out triggers an awareness. The message is, Dont forget. Never forget these people or forget what happened., Stay up to date on all the latest news from Boston.com. 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. [48] The capacity for the Station was either 258 or 404, depending on how the building was being used. [52] Speaking to the public for the first time since the fire, Biechele stated: For three years, I've wanted to be able to speak to the people that were affected by this tragedy, but I know that there's nothing that I can say or do that will undo what happened that night. Patrick Lynch: First of all, I think it's pathetic, disgusting and unsettling to think that they're even speaking now The foam that they put up had a direct impact on the survivability of the bulk of the people that were assembled that night. And I fell down the stairs, out that door. Michael Derderian: Jeffrey was responsible for all the marketing activities. ", Scott James: They had their moments. He wrote: "This is a company that is well aware of the dangers of polyurethane foam. At least 64 others were also sued, including the state of Rhode Island citedforthe fire inspector's failure to report the flammable foam during multiple inspections. The TIAs required automatic fire sprinklers in all existing nightclubs and similar locations that accommodate more than 100 occupants, and all new locations in the same categories. Dan Biechele, center, at his sentencing. Jeff Derderian: Because in my mind I had nothing to hide. But it's fun. Scott James: He writes up this long, almost a manifesto about all the things that he thinks are wrong in that foam company that led to this tragedy. It was like what? Patrick Lynch: They are running the operation. Linda Saran: That's when you make a decision. The TIAs also required additional crowd manager personnel, among other things. [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. PROVIDENCE Over the years Dave Kane has had to find a place to store his outrage over losing his 18-year-old son, Nicholas, in The Station nightclub fire in 2003. [2] Larocque later told the Rhode Island State Police that he had not spotted the polyurethane foam during the November 2002 inspection because he was upset after finding an illegal inward swinging door that he had previously asked to be removed from the building. They all say I never would have stopped it, and I probably wouldnt have. Jack Russell declined "48 Hours"' request for an interview. And I stood up. How he went from being a man with a job he loved and friends, to someone struggling with sobriety and guilt, suffering flashbacks at fire alarms and smoke-like fog. Jim Axelrod: There are so many people still to this day angry that the case didn't go to trial. The Station nightclub owners Michael, left, and Jeffrey Derderian, right, pleaded no contest to 100 counts of misdemeanor manslaughter and agreed to a deal. He apologized to the families of the victims and made no attempt to mitigate his guilt," the letter said. But Jeff Derderian, who was helping out at the bar, says he and an employee tried to get to the stage with a fire extinguisher. And he says you can. I went around back. It justit was so fast. Linda Saran and Phil Barr, badly injured, were transported to a local hospital. Since I had been there earlier in the night, I knew that there was at least an exit in the back barroom. (WJAR) WEST WARWICK . [84] In September 2012, the owner of the land, Ray Villanova, donated the site to the SFMF.

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