[21] The flames were initially thought to be part of the act; only as the fire reached the ceiling and smoke began to bank down did people realize it was uncontrolled. They go for 15 seconds and they go 15 feet into the air. Todd King, a founder of The Station Family Fund, said today the fund . I noticed when the pyro stopped, the flame had kept going on both sides. He was out there, and he just loved being in the center. ", "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? Linda Saran: They have said they were sorry. The brother's plea deal stated only one of them would go to prison. Patrick Lynch: They are running the operation. I found my soul was wanting.. Unlike many of the patrons there, this was Barr's first time at the club. The tour manager for the rock band Great White pleaded guilty to 100 counts of misdemeanor manslaughter and was sentenced to four years in prison. He was the. [2] The final tally by The Providence Journal of people inside the Station during the fire totaled 462. Linda Saran: My hospital roommate, he and I took turns driving the respiratory therapist crazy in some ways it's almost like being in war together. Scott James: The fire alarm you hear it kick in. [tearing up] "What a great brother you have. Michael Derderian: No. It's not just about hitting the next goal but doing something really meaningful. 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. In a statement, Rhode Island Gov. I never wanted anyone to be hurt in any way. For years, he worked in Boston for Channel 7. [104] It was last introduced in the House in 2015 by then-U.S. Reps. James Langevin of Rhode Island and Tom Reed of New York.[104]. some bleeding I could notice in my throat. I was asked to work the merch table for the band, so I was getting 40 bucks and two T-shirts. The story of three survivors that were trapped when the massive Cypress Street viaduct collapsed. And they played the arenas. Linda Saran: That's when you make a decision. [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. Do you understand that anger? Stay up to date with everything Boston. [21] The Station did not have a sprinkler system installed.
The Station nightclub fire: What happened and who's to blame for Access remains open to the public, and memorial services are held each February 20. There had to be that period for me. Linda Saran: It's like a riptide. Scott James: They are what they call 15x15. Linda Saran: I think a lot of people miss out on the moments. If they stood up and said, small business owners, we were inexperienced. That's what the code says. [78], On the twentieth anniversary of the fire on February 20, 2023, Rhode Island governor Dan McKee ordered flags in Rhode Island lowered to half-staff for the day and the Rhode Island State House to be illuminated in memory of the 100 victims. once you could no longer see, it was total pandemonium. According to author Scott James, Great White had reportedly used a large pyro display without permission at other clubs, including just days before the fire at a show in New Jersey.
Remembering the Station Nightclub Fire - ICC She endured more than 50 operations. Michael Derderian: The club was sold.
NFPA on LinkedIn: Station Nightclub Fire Survivor Returns to the Scene As soon as the pyrotechnics stopped, the flame had started on the egg-crate backing behind the stage, and it just went up the ceiling. (crying) So I can't expect anybody else to. [5] Local bands that had played at the Station prior to the fire had used pyrotechnics during their concerts without incident, including a Kiss tribute band that had set off fireballs during their show in August 2002. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. It was liquid fire. And people stood and watched it, and some people backed off. But the night of the fire it was up to help cut down the noise. [80], A permanent memorial at the site of the fire has been erected and named the Station Fire Memorial Park. And it was ugly. Jody King: Hopped out of bed, grabbed my clothes, grabbed my keys, hopped in the car and took off. Updated on: October 24, 2021 / 2:07 AM It was crowded, and it was getting bad. The Station Nightclub Fire: Who's Responsible? It couldnt continue another 10, 15 years, it couldnt. my dad was in the room. The night of the fire, hundreds of people gathered at The Station to see Great White, an 80s band now with some new members lead by singer Jack Russell and known mainly for their hit "Once Bitten, Twice Shy. View Image Gallery.
Inside The Inferno: The Station Nightclub Fire | Thought Catalog And, according to the brothers, it was one of the first exits used when the fire started. 2021 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. [56], The sentence drew mixed reactions in the courtroom.
(WATCH) The Station Nightclub Fire is Remembered in the Documentary JACK RUSSELL [news interview]: We never do anything without asking permission first. Built in 1946, the wooden Station nightclub was grandfathered into an exception for laws requiring ceiling fire sprinklers. Phil Barr: A lot of people moved back towards the main entrance it became really clear that we were not going to be able [to] get out the front door. It just so happens that we're evacuated due to the CZU complex fire but hey that's how. Michael Derderian: We do understand that anger and that's that's why we're here with you. Michael Derderian: Jeffrey was responsible for all the marketing activities. How did you meet him? Things that bring back memories of that night we try to stay away from. there was nothing that would make it so you couldn't get out of it. Almost immediately the finger pointing started. Jack Russell declined "48 Hours"' request for an interview.
Multiple injured after shooting at San Jose nightclub | KRON4 About The Guest List Patrick Lynch: Again, any reference in this conversation about what the brothers say, I I take a step back and think I don't really trust it. The result is poignant footage contrasting very different life stories. You take one square inch of the foam, you hold it up with a roach clip and light it on fire with a wooden match. Jim Axelrod: Did either of you know anything about running a nightclub? it became very, very hard to breathe. Michael Derderian: It would have been horrific to have people go through this. However, on September 21, 2006, Judge Darigan announced that the brothers had changed their pleas from "not guilty" to "no contest," thereby avoiding a trial. Patrick Lynch: Jeffrey and Michael Derderian. 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. he was very kind about it, but he said, "I don't ever see you competitively swimming again." Sparks from the gerbs ignited the insulation foam, and flames were visible on the wall above the stage within nine seconds of their ignition. They said a critical piece of evidence was never presented to the grand jury. [90] The band initially retired "Desert Moon", the song they were performing when the fire began, from their concert set list. [81] In August 2016, the site was reported to have been being used as a PokeStop in Pokmon Go, to uproar from victims' families. [94] Russell's group made its first New England appearance in twelve years at a harvest festival in Mechanic Falls, Maine, in August 2015. 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. For the first few years she shunned memorial ceremonies but eventually was convinced to go. It did not. Michael Derderian: The field test is crystal clear. 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. 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. [96] By 2013, Russell's group had resumed playing "Desert Moon". Her father has seven brothers, Pimentel said, and she was especially close to Carlos. Jim Axelrod: And that's when the despair sinks in. 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. 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.
SAVE | California Fire Foundation Jody King says his brother enjoyed working for the Derderians. Cold air washing over me. But, you know, they have this following to this day . I refused to accept that as the outcome. She wrote a book, meets with burn victims, talks to fire departments and fire safety groups across the country. They were told to take it down. At 55, he lives with his parents and keeps to himself. The brothers decided that because Jeff had young kids, Michael would go. When Laroque testified before the grand jury he claimed he never saw the foam. "[23] Within 40 seconds of the ignition, Great White had stopped playing and left the stage and the venue's fire alarm began to sound, but it was not connected to local fire department. [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. [48] Some victims' families criticized the 48 Hours segment and the Derderians' involvement. Produced by Betsy Shuller and Chris Young Ritzen. 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 WEST WARWICK, R.I. The owners of The Station nightclub say their decision to finally speak publicly about the deadly fire there nearly . I'll be right back." Now, Russo leads the Station Fire Memorial Foundation, which oversees a memorial that stands where the nightclub once went up in flames, The Boston Globe reported. Legal action against several parties, including Great White, were resolved with monetary settlements by 2008. He was granted parole and then released after 22 months. And I was paying staff pricing for beer because I knew a guy.
Remembering the 100 victims of the Station Nightclub fire 18 years Patrick Lynch: I don't think anybody in anything that they did wanted anybody to die that night or get injured.
Survivors of the Station nightclub fire reflect on tragedy's 20th This article was originally published on Oct. 22, 2021. 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 . Jim Axelrod: If you have a message that you want the people of Rhode Island to hear, there were plenty of ways to get it out long before now. That was his gift. 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. 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. Linda Saran: The night of the fire I got in for free. Share. And I sent it to her and the best compliment I ever got was oh, his hairs fantastic.. In the days after the fire, victims' families and survivors faced a harsh new reality. So, I actually got a really good sense of the layout of the venue. [32] In April 2003, The Derderians were fined $1.07 million for failing to carry workers' compensation insurance for their employees. (WJAR) WEST WARWICK . As it turns out, the foam they used was highly flammable. DANIEL BIECHELE [at sentencing hearing in tears]: I don't know that I will ever forgive myself for what happened that night. Jody King: He was gregarious. "48 Hours" has confirmed the fax wasnotpresented to the grand jury. I couldn't understand him or understand the magnitude of what was going on there. 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. Barr, who was in his junior year, had dreams of a career on Wall Street and swam competitively for his college swim team. [84] In September 2012, the owner of the land, Ray Villanova, donated the site to the SFMF. Lying on the floor not far from the horseshoe bar, Barr lost consciousness. At the time of the fire, he had just started a new job closer to home in Providence at the local CBS station. One hundred people died, and hundreds more suffered. [37] The report had been inspired by the E2 nightclub stampede in Chicago that killed 21 people three days earlier. Those who were trapped inside The Station when the flames started knew they needed to get out fast. And he's like he don't know. [21] The fire spread throughout the building and was completely engulfed within six minutes of the pyrotechnic ignition. Jim Axelrod is the chief investigative correspondent and senior national correspondent for CBS News, reporting for "CBS This Morning," "CBS Evening News," "CBS Sunday Morning" and other CBS News broadcasts. And I'm like, "OK.". [34], Providence Phoenix columnist Ian Donnis wrote of the effect that the fire had on the close-knit Rhode Island community, "The loss of so much life would represent a tragedy anywhere, but it struck especially hard in Rhode Island, the nation's smallest state, where no place is more than an hour away by car and the fire claimed one tenth of one percent of the state's population. But that night, leading the cameraman around was bouncer Tracy King, a dedicated husband and father of three young boys. It all started around 11 p.m. when the rock band Jack Russell's Great White took the stage and the group's tour manager, Daniel Biechele, set off four large fireworks called gerbs. Receive the latest news and breaking updates, straight from our newsroom to your inbox.