[61] Michael Derderian received fifteen years in prison, with four to serve and eleven years suspended, plus three years' probationthe same sentence as Biechele. To the right is this much larger space in front of a stage. 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. So, to the people who think we don't own it I'm telling you, we DO own it ok? [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. Nightclub Fire", "3 indicted in R.I. rock concert fire - UPI Archives", "The Derderians are on a 'white-wash tour' about The Station fire, says father who lost son", "The strange and terrible true story of Great White, and the Station nightclub fire", "3 Men Are Indicted in Fire At Rhode Island Nightclub", "Foam company offers Station nightclub fire plaintiffs $6.3M settlement", "DAN BIECHELE SPEAKS Pre-Sentencing Statement GREAT WHITE TOUR MANAGER Station Nightclub Fire RI", "Fury, Tears and 4-Year Term in Deadly Blaze", "Band manager who ignited deadly Rhode Island nightclub fire freed from prison", "Manager Sentenced for Rhode Island Nightclub Fire", "Many families of Station fire victims supporting parole for band manager", "Band manager who ignited R.I. club fire is freed", "After prison, Biechele rebuilding life in Fla", "Derderians will plead; AG says he opposes sentencing deal", "2 Brothers to Plead No Contest in R.I. into the main barroom. It was that fast. And that song reminds us of that night. [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. Do you understand that anger? One guy did crawl out. [79], The site of the fire was cleared, and a multitude of crosses were placed as memorials, left by loved ones of the deceased. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. And he's like he don't know. But she refuses to live in the past. Patrick Lynch: while troubling, concerning, maddening it doesn't mean that somebody should be charged or can be. You walk on the property, and it doesnt feel tragic anymore. I refused to accept that as the outcome. Jeff Derderian: I don't know. [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. Jim Axelrod: Did the contract specify the use of pyrotechnics? [90] Russell planned to donate the proceeds to the Station Fire Memorial Foundation, but the organization asked to be disassociated from the concert, citing the animosity still felt by many of the survivors and surviving families. This is a massive part of my life. 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. It was like what? 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. Nine friends didnt. [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. [84] In September 2012, the owner of the land, Ray Villanova, donated the site to the SFMF. But even more than walking, Phil wanted to return to swimming. [49] In 2013, Kendall told The Providence Journal that he maintained amicable contact with some survivors, victims' families, and the Station Fire Memorial Foundation. PATRICK LYNCH [news interview]: Certainly, there are people we are looking at, ultimately, we may target. 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, Marc Goldbaum is the development producer. I have to find him. [2], Prior to the fire, the Station often hosted concerts by 1980s hard rock groups and tribute bands. In an exclusive interview with "48 Hours" contributor Jim Axelrod, the Derderians said they wanted to set the record straight and reveal new information about that foam and accountability. Phil Barr: and I felt the door and I just heaved my shoulder into it. Scott James: It should not have happened. This article was originally published on Oct. 22, 2021. It looked like it was raining black fire. But I made a choice. Michael Derderian: No. 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. The third started that day. 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. She sees telling the story of the Station fire as a way of preventing others from going through the same thing. Michael Derderian: Take this stuff down. In February 2008, Providence television station. [94] Kendall's version of Great White was to perform at the Mohegan Sun casino in Uncasville, Connecticut alongside Stryper and Steven Adler on March 25, 2023, but the venue indefinitely postponed the concert on March 2, citing its proximity to the twentieth anniversary of the fire. 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. [29] The initial death toll was 96 people; Four more individuals died in the hospital in the weeks following, bringing the toll to 100. S01:E01 - San Francisco Freeway Collapse. [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. Michael spent 33 months in prison, while Jeff had to do 500 hours of community service. 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. [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. Jody King: I'm so proud to say he's my brother. 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. Access remains open to the public, and memorial services are held each February 20. And I hear [moves her arms to the side with a whoosh] and out Deb went. 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. The brothers have always maintained that they never gave the band permission to use pyrotechnics. Michael Derderian: The club was sold. About 40 seconds after the song began, Great White stopped the show and all but one member of the band escaped through the stage door exit. "48 Hours" has confirmed the fax wasnotpresented to the grand jury. Jim Axelrod: How do you know he went in nine times? [99] 41 and a film based on O'Neill's play They Walk Among Us were aired by Rhode Island PBS in February 2013 in conjunction with the tenth anniversary of the fire. : In 2021, 48 Hours described the total civil payments to the victims and families as $176 million. Jody King: He was gregarious. The brother's plea deal stated only one of them would go to prison. He wrote: "This is a company that is well aware of the dangers of polyurethane foam. Gina Russo, a survivor of The Station nightclub fire. I couldn't hear screaming anymore. I couldn't hear noise. The Station was owned by brothers Michael and Jeff Derderian. A decade ago, a survivor . That specific. [104] The legislation would create a tax incentive for property owners to install fire sprinkler systems. They are speaking out about the fire for the first time. The charge is pending. Her bill was $646 that month, she said. As it turns out, the foam they used was highly flammable. In the aftermath, Vanner battled an addiction to crack cocaine and alcohol, which he used to cope but which cost him jobs and his drivers license. [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. I would forgive them in a heartbeat. that door being up, there is no question that that increased the likelihood that many, many more would perish. Jim Axelrod: Were you a fan of the band Great White? I would see the burn survivors, whom Im lucky enough to call friends, Del Sesto said. At the opening of the park I had 100 students from my school come, and I had to explain it all so I gave them their learning experience, she said of last Mays dedication of the park on the site of the Station nightclub. Susan Nicol. Today Phil Barr is married and a father of two little girls. Jody King: I see the horror. Since I had been there earlier in the night, I knew that there was at least an exit in the back barroom. Barr was now outside, but he felt like his lungs were on fire. They promoted the event. Shed read Russos book, about how the fire left her a bald chick, and it convinced her to go back out into the world. 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]. People say they just feel peaceful, Russo told the Globe. Jim Axelrod: Did you have enough time to form those complete thoughts? [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". 2003 deadly fire at a rock concert in West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA, Great White, Jack Russell, and Mark Kendall, National Institute of Standards and Technology, "The Station nightclub fire 10 years later: Healing continues as West Warwick, Rhode Island, takes next step in recovery", "The Station Fire: Timeline of a tragedy", "Station tragedy leads to tougher fire code", "Report of the Technical Investigation of The Station Nightclub Fire (NIST NCSTAR 2), Volume 1", "Beyond grief: Trying to make sense out of the Station tragedy", "Tragedy Catches Up to a Metal Band Past Its Prime", "Great White Fireworks Set Off a Controversy", "The Station nightclub fire: What happened and who's to blame for disaster that killed 100? 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. Those who were trapped inside The Station when the flames started knew they needed to get out fast. He had failed to get a license for the pyrotechnics from the State of Rhode Island and permits from the local fire department. The trunk bears the names of the fire victims. Produced by Betsy Shuller and Chris Young Ritzen. The Station was owned by brothers Jeff and Michael Derderian. [48] The capacity for the Station was either 258 or 404, depending on how the building was being used. "[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. 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 club was not equipped with sprinklers, according to the NIST, and crowding at the buildings main entrance made it difficult for people to escape. She wrote a book, meets with burn victims, talks to fire departments and fire safety groups across the country. But their plans for the future would suddenly change. And I'm like, "OK.". 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. 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. She took a photograph of the stone of a man who died and sent it to his daughter in California. 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. my dad was in the room. "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. [44] The NIST report was released on March 3, 2005 and was made available in two parts on June 30, 2005. The Feb. 20, 2003. 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. The state of Rhode Island is small," says author Scott James. A surgery to correct a childhood ailment with his ears left him able to balance objects on his chin. 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. It was the fourth deadliest fire in a nightclub in US history. Scott James: They are what they call 15x15. They should have blamed more. Dont take life for granted and I miss her every day She was my world and now shes my angel.. Petrarca was sitting near the bar that night in 2003, about five feet from a door, when the fire broke out. In a statement, Rhode Island Gov. 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. Also there that night was Bates College student Phil Barr, who was home for winter break. Jim Axelrod: The fire spread so quickly because rather than fire-retardant sound foam, on the wall of the club was highly flammable packing foam. S01:E02 - Joplin Tornado. Nothing lifts his despair. And people stood and watched it, and some people backed off. 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]. Michael Derderian: They got this fax and it went on to describe the business practices of the foam company. You should be proud." ", Scott James: They had their moments. Phil Barr: It was getting harder and harder to breathe I could feel tightness and constriction in my chest. Petrarca remembers one of the most beautiful moments shes had. 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. As of September 2008, at least $115 million in settlement agreements had been paid, or offered, to the victims or their families by various defendants. And that's when the crowd realizes this is a real danger and we have to get out of here. The fire started shortly after Great White began performing their opening number, "Desert Moon". [1] The building that would become The Station was built in 1946 and was originally used as a gin mill. (WJAR) WEST WARWICK . When fireworks ignited the soundproofing foam on the stage wall, he ran for a fire extinguisher. Phil Barr fought to breathe on his own. Witnesses of the nearly mile-wide tornado recount how they managed to survive. [32] In April 2003, The Derderians were fined $1.07 million for failing to carry workers' compensation insurance for their employees. [2] The three were each charged with 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter with criminal negligence and 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter in violation of a misdemeanor. [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. The Derderians have always maintained that they never gave the band permission to use pyrotechnics. And I took a good look and I said, "Oh, st, I'm burned.". Stay up to date with everything Boston. [94] Russell's group made its first New England appearance in twelve years at a harvest festival in Mechanic Falls, Maine, in August 2015. [22] Biechele used four gerbs that were set to spray sparks 15 feet (4.6m) for fifteen seconds. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Tracy died never giving up. [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. 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. nashville parade of homes 2022, caption for baby girl in one word,