Michael Derderian: We say that they we're sorry for all of it. Almost immediately the finger pointing started. Dan McKee stopped by the memorial on the 20th anniversary of the fire Monday. [63] Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch objected strenuously to the plea bargain, saying that both brothers should have received jail time and that Michael Derderian should have received more time than Biechele. Patrick Lynch: They are running the operation. 2021 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Phil Barr: I couldn't hear alarms. "I literally baked alive," says Linda Barr. " The fire began as rock band Great White played to the crowd. Jody King: He trusted the club. It was liquid fire," says former Attorney General Patrick Lynch, who investigated the disaster. Tracy died never giving up. And then, ever so slowly, he learned to walk again. [47] Larocque was not charged by the grand jury, as Lynch had cited a state law that prevented charges against fire marshals without proof of bad faith. I know how this tragedy has devastated me, but I can only begin to understand what the people who lost loved ones have endured. Sparks from the gerbs ignited the insulation foam, and flames were visible on the wall above the stage within nine seconds of their ignition. I said to myself, we gotta go. [102] It is left for each state or local jurisdiction to legally enact and enforce the current code changes. She paused, her eyes tearing. I went around back. Jim Axelrod: Mr. Warner's fax wasn't presented to the grand jury, correct? I look at my scars every day. The pyrotechnics ignited the walls on either side of the stage and within seconds flames spread along the foam that lined the walls and ceiling of the club intended to dampen sound. It seems like yesterday We were going to get married in June and she passed away in February, Cain told CBS. Absolutely not. We have an exit through the kitchen. Jody King: "Anybody see Tracy?" The Station Nightclub Fire - University of Cincinnati pdf To summarize the reports, specifically about how people exited, the vast majority of people attempted to exit the way they came in. The shooting was first reported at 12:04 a.m. in the 300 block of S. 1st . In the months and years that followed, Jody also learned about Tracy's heroic last moments. Michael Derderian: He's completely out of it. [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. But that night, leading the cameraman around was bouncer Tracy King, a dedicated husband and father of three young boys. Jim Axelrod: Does this mean you feel a sense of responsibility? When I turned around, some people were already trying to leave, and others were just sitting there going, "Yeah, that's great!" [13], In February 2003, Great White was on an eighteen date concert tour, and they had been using a pyrotechnic display during their performances that some club owners had denied them permission to use, citing safety concerns. That was his gift. And 18 years after the fire, the brothers say they want to set the record straight and reveal new information. And I never expected it to take off as fast as it did. Jim Axelrod: And that's when the despair sinks in. Jody King kneels at his brother Tracy's memorial. Two decades after 100 people were killed in the West Warwick, R.I. fire, those affected by the incident are reflecting on that tragic night. Jim Axelrod: Did either of you know anything about running a nightclub? But he didn't know what. The Station Nightclub Fire: Who's Responsible? Linda Saran: They have said they were sorry. [89] Kendall said in 2005, "We haven't played that song. Her father wont visit the memorial, and it took her years to be able to drive down Cowesett Avenue, she said. [9] Michael Derderian told 48 Hours that it was "Undisputable" that the building's use of flammable packing foam instead of flame retardant sound foam was the cause of the fire's spread, but the brothers claimed that they had ordered sound foam and had received the packing foam instead. Lourdes Aguiar is the senior producer. 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.. The brothers sent a fax to the foam company specifically asking for sound foam. One near the bar. This is solid gasoline. In the aftermath, West Warwick, Rhode Island TV news reporter Jeff Derderian wanted to run a story on nightclub safety. PATRICK LYNCH [news interview]: Certainly, there are people we are looking at, ultimately, we may target. That happened in 2001. If they stood up and said, small business owners, we were inexperienced. [94] Kendall's version of the band holds the copyright for the Great White name. Stephen Sweet, a Quincy firefighter who lost his cousin Shawn Sweet in the fire, came to play the bagpipes at a memorial ceremony Monday, WCVB reported. And people stood and watched it, and some people backed off. You know people didn't react instantly. WEST WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) - Saturday marks the 18-year anniversary of the Station Nightclub fire that left lasting scars on numerous families and the state of Rhode Island. [9] In 2008, American Foam agreed to pay $6.3 million to the families of the victims of the fire. Lynch also points out that the exits were a safety issue. Michael Derderian: The club was sold. Warner lived next to The Station and had met the brothers. I cant do it for the rest of my life, she said. Michael Derderian: They got this fax and it went on to describe the business practices of the foam company. 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. But it's fun. Vanner wonders whether he could have saved them. "We went out on a Thursday night to listen to music, drink some beers and have a good time. : In 2021, 48 Hours described the total civil payments to the victims and families as $176 million. I couldn't hear screaming anymore. Within weeks, the National Fire Protection Association committee met to regulate code for "assembly occupancies." The Station nightclub fire would become one of the deadliest fires in a club in U.S. history. It couldnt continue another 10, 15 years, it couldnt. [93] After a 2013 legal settlement between the two parties, Kendall's band retained the Great White name, while Russell's band was allowed to use the name Jack Russell's Great White. So, it was not a great decision to use these inside a nightclub that only has 12-foot ceilings. So, it was very quickly they were in the circle of people we should look at. And I turned around, I said, "Get out, get out, get to the door, get to the door!" Jim Axelrod: There are so many people still to this day angry that the case didn't go to trial. And the following year he was able to accomplish the impossible and rejoin his swim team. As were going down the stairs to get into the comedy club, in the heart of Times Square, the first thought that goes through my mind: I come back and look and go: Are there two exits down there? she said. Biechele. The story of three survivors that were trapped when the massive Cypress Street viaduct collapsed. Michael Derderian: Take this stuff down. [104] The legislation would create a tax incentive for property owners to install fire sprinkler systems. Why had the fire spread so quickly? 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. "We wanted the full story to come out, not just some of it, and for people who want to come to their own conclusion on what happened that night," says Jeff Derderian. Barr was located between the stage and the front door. In fact, they did the opposite.". 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. Vanner doesnt know when the night will be over. Michael Derderian: We do understand that anger and that's that's why we're here with you. He owned his own construction company, and he was often in the backyard with his sons, improving the landscape or building two ponds that he filled with koi fish. I don't care what I'm going to see.". Christina Pimentel wasnt at the Station 15 years ago but she remembers the fire that killed 100 people because one of them was her uncle, Carlos Pimentel Sr. ", "20 years later, the effects of the Station nightclub fire still linger - The Boston Globe", "The Great White Nightclub Fire: Ten Years Later", "In West Warwick firefighters' hearts, the disaster isn't over", "How a West Warwick restaurant became a triage center for burn victims", "20th anniversary of New England nightclub fire that killed 100", "State supreme court to review penalty for employee deaths in R.I. fire - UPI.com", "Workers comp. They want to talk to you." Jody King: He ran in and came out nine times in 90 seconds. Jim Axelrod: If the brothers are relying on the fire marshal to tell them whether or not they can continue to do business. Scott James: The fire alarm you hear it kick in. American Foam Corporation, who sold the insulation to The Station nightclub, agreed in 2008 to pay $6.3 million to settle lawsuits relating to the fire. Patrick Lynch: The type of foam was equal to gallons of gasoline. Investigators eventually discovered the fax was sent by Barry Warner, a former employee at American Foam the company that had sent the Derderians the packing foam made of flammable polyurethane. He had failed to get a license for the pyrotechnics from the State of Rhode Island and permits from the local fire department. But many, including the brothers, feel strongly Laroque should also have been charged. Follow Boston.com on Instagram (Opens in a New Tab), Follow Boston.com on Twitter (Opens in a New Tab), Like Boston.com on Facebook (Opens in a New Tab), R.I. State House homeless encampment removed after legal fight, After the 80th anniversary of the tragic fire, a Cocoanut Grove memorial is coming to Boston, This affordable airline says it will bring at least 20 routes to an R.I. airport. And why wasn't the foam company charged? For the first February in 15 years, Lisa Del Sesto said, she hasnt had the nightmares. [2] The follow-up inspection in December 2002 also did not cite the foam, and the inspector gave the building an "All OK" rating on his inspection form. Obviously the nightclub was not in compliance, and there never should have been pyrotechnics, but there's no evidence the bouncers blocked people from . [20], Great White started their performance at 11:07 p.m. on February 20. Saran was one of the more than 200 who were seriously hurt in the fire. He tells her he wishes that hed tried to extinguish the fire. I needed for that day to come, she said. I am proud. [9] American Foam refuted the claims in Warner's fax. But what they received was highly flammable packing foam. Jim Axelrod: Did you have enough time to form those complete thoughts? I found my soul was wanting.. [80], A permanent memorial at the site of the fire has been erected and named the Station Fire Memorial Park. [54] Darigan remarked, "The greatest sentence that can be imposed on you has been imposed on you by yourself. Receive the latest news and breaking updates, straight from our newsroom to your inbox. So that was huge.. But then the door would go back up when it was going to be a loud night. [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. The fire seemed to burn quickly, she added. Its irrelevant.. The biggest question was, why had the fire spread so quickly? They were told to take it down. [84] In September 2012, the owner of the land, Ray Villanova, donated the site to the SFMF. That night, he allowed a cameraman to shoot footage inside the club for an upcoming story about safety in public venues. 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? There's an exit near the stage. Jody King: Hopped out of bed, grabbed my clothes, grabbed my keys, hopped in the car and took off. Linda Saran: The night of the fire I got in for free. 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. I'll be right back." In September 2008, The Jack Russell Tour Group Inc. offered $1 million in a settlement to survivors and victims' relatives. But Saturday night, as . 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. The club was sold. Jody King: We never knew the whole story because the trial never happened, so everything really never came out. Everybody just kind of turned. Michael Derderian: The field test is crystal clear. To satisfy noise complaints from neighbors, the brothers had installed foam along the club's walls and ceilings. [95][49], Neither version of Great White performed in any of the six New England states for over a decade following the fire. The brothers have always maintained that they never gave the band permission to use pyrotechnics. [9] Two gerbs were at 45-degree angles, with the middle two pointing straight up. [95] When Russell launched his version of the band in 2012, Kendall's group responded that Russell had no right to use the name. [33] One survivor claimed that a bouncer blocked a side door as attendees attempted to escape the building, stating the door was only to be used by the band. [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. The second was the time from that night until the dedication of the memorial last spring. Do you understand that anger? And that's when I noticed the black on my arms. [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. But does that mean it's not a crime? So many ways this could have been avoided, Matthew Hoffman, an East Greenwich, R.I. resident, told WPRI. he was very kind about it, but he said, "I don't ever see you competitively swimming again." In a statement, Rhode Island Gov. Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider, who is featured in a REELZ documentary about the Warwick, Rhode Island Station nightclub fire, which killed some 100 attendees of a Great White concert in 2003, Nightclub Fire", "Judge Accepts Plea Deal in Rhode Island Fire", "Co-owner of R.I. club where 100 died to be released early", "Band to pay $1M in case over deadly club fire", "Great White offers $1M to settle fatal fire suits", "Derderians reach settlement in nightclub fire", "Governments offer $20 million in RI nightclub fire", "Packaging company settles in R.I. nightclub fire", "McLaughlin & Moran, Anheuser-Busch offer $21M settlement in Station fire case", "Home Depot Settles In R.I. Jody King says his brother enjoyed working for the Derderians. Even if he couldnt. As a human being how do you not feel some sort of responsibility for that ? Linda Saran was a regular at The Station. You were not approaching that area at all. [29] The initial death toll was 96 people; Four more individuals died in the hospital in the weeks following, bringing the toll to 100. I ran across the room and I ran face-first into the wall. As a result of this and other similar incidents, fire chiefs, fire marshals and inspectors require trained crowd managers to comply with the International Fire Code, NFPA-101 Life Safety Code, NFPA-1 Fire Code and many local ordinances that address safety in public-assembly occupancies. There was no one coming out the back door anymore. 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. After 15 years of it being a dominant part of her everyday life, she said she is ready for it to be a part of her past. [9] In 2005, the Rhode Island Attorney General office received a fax from Barry Warner, a former employee of American Foam who lived nearby the Station, who claimed the company had known about the dangers of polyurethane foam but did not warn their employees about it. It didn't have a lock on it. 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 through pursuits ranging from an exhibit of commemorative body art to re-immersion in the rock culture that initially brought them and their loved ones [82] The stop was removed from the game by developer Niantic later that month. Its just one of those things thats ingrained in you.. "[55] Biechele was released in March 2008. The trunk bears the names of the fire victims. It is now mandatory for nightclubs with occupancy over 150 to have them. [27] A portion of the nightclub roof collapsed at 11:57 p.m., and a second portion in the building's sunroom collapsed at 12:07 a.m..[24] Patients were transported to Kent Hospital, which was filled to maximum capacity due to the fire. Biechele was released from prison in 2008 after some families of the victims expressed their support for his parole. And Paul Vanner didnt like what he saw. The four exits inside The Station: "There's an exit near the stage an exit through the kitchen. WEST WARWICK, R.I. The Station nightclub fire, where 100 people died and hundreds more were hurt, will never be forgotten by those who were there or lost loved ones that February night.. He was granted parole and then released after 22 months. Dont take life for granted and I miss her every day She was my world and now shes my angel..
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station nightclub fire survivors list
