Am I going to sit here and cry about this? Jim Axelrod: When you come to, you're in a hospital room.
Inside The Inferno: The Station Nightclub Fire | Thought Catalog He sees his actions as a verdict on his own humanity. [51], Victims' families have also cited overcrowding in the venue as a cause for the causalities during the fire. [28] By 1:30 a.m. on February 21, all patients had been transported and the street had been cleared. [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. [83], In June 2003, the Station Fire Memorial Foundation (SFMF) was formed with the purpose of purchasing the property, to build and maintain a memorial. Petrarca was sitting near the bar that night in 2003, about five feet from a door, when the fire broke out. Linda Saran: They have said they were sorry. I couldn't get up. 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. [24] Hundreds of firefighters responded to the fire, including every available West Warwick firefighter. And I fell down the stairs, out that door.
Fifteen years from now, she hopes, her students will go by the park, and have a memory, a connection, with the 100 people whose names and faces are etched into black granite squares arrayed throughout the park. [92], Russell left Great White in 2010. It was liquid fire. Michael Derderian: They got this fax and it went on to describe the business practices of the foam company. [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. A staggering 100 lives were lost. . Editor's Note: This story was originally published on Monday, Feb. 19, 2018. [22] During the performance, pyrotechnics set off by tour manager Daniel Biechele ignited the flammable acoustic foam on both sides and the top center of the drummer's alcove at the back of the stage. Michael Derderian: I don't know about that. Like you feel that kinship that, you know, "God, I really hope this guy makes it." Jim Axelrod: Who's responsible for that foam going up on the wall? I figured I was on my own at that point.. He sees a court-ordered therapist, who has told him he has depression and PTSD. and I just kind of went down on my face. Jim Axelrod: Did the contract specify the use of pyrotechnics? Since 2003, the approach of the anniversary of the Station fire, where she and her twin sister, Cara Ann, got out unhurt while 100 others died and about 200 more were injured, was four weeks of dread. The answer is no. The TIAs also required additional crowd manager personnel, among other things. into the main barroom. That's all I can keep seeing in my head. Jody King: Hopped out of bed, grabbed my clothes, grabbed my keys, hopped in the car and took off. We took shortcuts. Linda Saran: The bar got quiet because people were dying literally and all you could hear was the roar of the fire and liquor bottles exploding. That happened in 2002. Club owners Jeffrey and Michael Derderian reached a settlement of $813,000 with survivors and victims' families in September 2008. The Station nightclub in West Warwick, R.I., was on fire . [81] In August 2016, the site was reported to have been being used as a PokeStop in Pokmon Go, to uproar from victims' families. 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 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. [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. 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. Linda Saran: Yes. More than 460 fans had crowded into the wooden, single-story, 4,480 -square-foot nightclub known as The Station in West Warwick, R.I., to enjoy a Thursday night show on Feb. 20, 2003. I couldn't hear noise. One near the bar. There is one consistent thing I have learned after 18 years in the you could not see your hand in front of your face. Nine friends didnt. Produced by Betsy Shuller and Chris Young Ritzen. The brothers decided that because Jeff had young kids, Michael would go. But she refuses to live in the past. The Station Nightclub Fire: Who's Responsible? JACK RUSSELL [news interview]: Rock and Roll is supposed to be fun, not deadly you know. [100], Gonsalves was inducted into the Rhode Island Radio and Television Hall of Fame in 2013. [97] Russell raised about $180 from the concert, but the Memorial Foundation refused the donation, a decision supported by Kendall. Linda Saran: I think a lot of people miss out on the moments. 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. Jack Russell declined "48 Hours"' request for an interview. there are other people who should be responsible. The second was the time from that night until the dedication of the memorial last spring. That exit door would soon be engulfed in flames. Gina Russo, who was in The Station on Feb. 20, 2003, barely made it out. 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.
Station Benefit Concert Nets $25,000 After Broadcast The blaze began when the band Jack Russell's Great White took the stage and their tour manager set off four large fireworks. ", "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. 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. 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. [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. She sees telling the story of the Station fire as a way of preventing others from going through the same thing. Since the fire, I have wanted to tell the victims and their families how truly sorry I am for what happened that night and the part that I had in 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". Linda Saran: I could have missed it all. 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? Jim Axelrod: If the brothers are relying on the fire marshal to tell them whether or not they can continue to do business. Jody King: When he walked into a room, if there wasn't a smile he'd start balancing stuff to get you uplifted and smiling. Within weeks, the National Fire Protection Association committee met to regulate code for "assembly occupancies." The trunk bears the names of the fire victims. In fact, they did the opposite.". American Foam said Warner's claims about the company are false. Survivor Phil Barr arrived to The Station early the night of the concert. Also outside was club owner Jeff Derderian. Jeff Derderian, seated right, says, "You know a day doesn't go by that we don't think about it in some way, shape or form.". S01:E01 - San Francisco Freeway Collapse. [60] As of 2013[update], Biechele lived in Florida with his wife and two children. They all say I never would have stopped it, and I probably wouldnt have. I could have missed my daughter's high school graduation, the birth of her children. 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. "48 Hours" is not showing any of that footage. Gina Russo of Cranston, R.I. is a survivor of the Station nightclub fire and president of The Station Fire Memorial Foundation. [39] WPRI-TV and Derderian were criticized for the conflict of interest in having a reporter do a report concerning his own property. [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. The brothers have since learned that the fire marshal should have tested the foam on the wall. REELZ today announced the network's original documentary America's Deadliest Rock Concert: The Guest List premieres February 20th at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT presenting the deeply personal stories of lives forever altered by the tragic Station nightclub fire that left 100 people dead, more than 200 injured and devastated the tight-knit community of West Warwick, Rhode Island. But never once do they say, "we screwed up." That's how thick the smoke was. [95], Russell performed a benefit show in February 2013 in Hermosa Beach, California in commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the fire. 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? Even if he died trying. He trusted the owners. [1] The building that would become The Station was built in 1946 and was originally used as a gin mill. Jody King: Nine different families have come up to me and said "thank you for having a great brother. Patrick Lynch: I can't remember, honestly. [40][37] Derderian resigned from WPRI on June 30. Today marks the 20th anniversary of The Station nightclub fire in West Warwick, RI, which killed 100 people. It was completely preventable. As we mark 20 years since that night, here are those who. When I turned around, some people were already trying to leave, and others were just sitting there going, "Yeah, that's great!" [82] The stop was removed from the game by developer Niantic later that month. 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. 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, [58] Others pointed out that Biechele had sent handwritten letters to the families of each of the 100 victims and that he had a work release position in a local charity. 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. Station nightclub fire survivor tells burn victims love can happen amid scars, fears: Joe Kinan has had more than 120 surgeries, not the least of which was a hand transplant. But Saturday night, as . Scott James: And the nightclub operator there was so angry when he saw what had happened in Rhode Island, he went public, and he even made public the contract that he had with Great White that showed there was no evidence of fireworks that were going to be part of the show. "48 Hours" has confirmed the fax wasnotpresented to the grand jury. 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. [49] The tour started five months after the fire, and each concert began with a prayer for survivors and families. [89] The band raised $185,000 for the Station Family Fund during the tour. 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. And, according to the brothers, it was one of the first exits used when the fire started. Patrick Lynch: I don't think anybody in anything that they did wanted anybody to die that night or get injured. And I turned around, I said, "Get out, get out, get to the door, get to the door!"
On the 19th Anniversary of The Station Nightclub Fire, "America'S It is now mandatory for nightclubs with occupancy over 150 to have them.
Survivors of the Station nightclub fire reflect on tragedy's 20th As the crowd bottlenecked at the clubs entrance, thick black smoke poured out of the building and over their heads. For the first few years she shunned memorial ceremonies but eventually was convinced to go. It didn't have a lock on it. Lying on the floor not far from the horseshoe bar, Barr lost consciousness. Most people still just stood there. It took a while, she said, but she thinks she had found the way to move on from it but to keep it with her as well. That's when I turned back. [21], Among those who died in the fire were Great White guitarist Ty Longley, and the show's emcee, WHJY DJ Mike "The Doctor" Gonsalves. But I dont want it to define the rest of my life. 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. That night, he allowed a cameraman to shoot footage inside the club for an upcoming story about safety in public venues. In the stampede, 21 people were killed. This article was originally published on Oct. 22, 2021. Those at the nightclub had to act soon, as smoke was visible in the exit doorways in just over one minute. Michael Derderian: That is correct. Today Phil Barr is married and a father of two little girls. [24] The first West Warwick fire engine arrived at the scene at 11:13 p.m., followed by three other trucks shortly thereafter. And he says you can. 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. Michael Derderian: Zero. [2][46] On December 9, 2003, the grand jury announced indictments against Station owners Jeffrey and Michael Derderian and Great White road manager Daniel M. An off-duty police officer standing outside had heard her kicking at the window. Jim Axelrod: I want to ask you about Phil Barr. [36] Butler was there for a planned piece on nightclub safety being reported by Jeffrey A. Derderian, a WPRI news reporter who was also a part-owner of The Station. Jeff Derderian: None of the inspections and then follow-up inspections. Vanner has no excuses. Jody King: I'm so proud to say he's my brother. [12] Kendall, who had co-founded the band with Russell in 1977, had rejoined Russell's version of the group in 2002. 2021, shooting at a San Jose rail station. [2] The final tally by The Providence Journal of people inside the Station during the fire totaled 462. "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. She wrote a book, meets with burn victims, talks to fire departments and fire safety groups across the country. Biechele was released from prison in 2008 after some families of the victims expressed their support for his parole. He still remembers that deadly night. Her father has seven brothers, Pimentel said, and she was especially close to Carlos. [11] For the 2003 tour, the band was billed as "Jack Russell's Great White". [48] The grand jury also did not return charges against Russell. The State of Rhode Island and the town of West Warwick agreed to pay $10 million as settlement. You were not approaching that area at all. Michael Derderian: He finds the deficiencies, you have to correct the deficiencies and then signs off so that you so you can get your liquor license that happened in 2000. In the end, the survivors and victims' families settled for a total of $176 million. [9][10][8] At the time of their performance at the Station, Great White only had two of its original members in its lineup: Lead singer Jack Russell and guitarist Mark Kendall. How did you meet him? [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. Stay up to date with everything Boston. And I stood up. [56], The sentence drew mixed reactions in the courtroom. Phil Barr: We kind of crouched down behind some of the people in front of us.
Station fire, 15 years later: Survivors tell their stories The brothers say they are still haunted by the events of that horrific night. That is the furthest exit away from the stage But it's a relatively straight line. [86][87] The memorial dedication ceremony took place on May 21, 2017. Dan Biechele, center, at his sentencing. There had to be that period for me. Hundreds of people ran to the only exit many of them knew the way they came in. "Taking responsibility for your actions goes a long way," she says. But even more than walking, Phil wanted to return to swimming. Her fianc, Alfred Freddy Crisostomi, did not. 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.. [32] The fine was not resolved until 2013, ten years after the fire, when it was upheld by a judge. I remember getting pushed from behind. Pyrotechnics ignited foam insulation that lined the walls and ceiling around the stage, the National Institute of Standards and Technology concluded. Jeff Derderian: We tried to get as far as we could. Linda Saran: The foam was raining down and the flames are dripping from the ceiling. undisputable. 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.