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. [25] Fire departments in Warwick, Coventry, and Cranston rendered mutual aid to the fire site. So many ways this could have been avoided, Matthew Hoffman, an East Greenwich, R.I. resident, told WPRI. 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? Their story starts three years before the fire. I needed for that day to come, she said. Phil Barr: I couldn't hear alarms. I can only pray that they understand that I would do anything to undo what happened that night and give them back their loved ones. You bury nine people in a period of less than two weeks, she said, and yeah, I think it affects you. [7][8] They were best known for their 1989 cover of Ian Hunter's "Once Bitten, Twice Shy", which reached the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100. 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. One of the angles Lynch investigated was the Derderian brothers. 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. Superior Court Judge Francis J. Darigan Jr. sentenced Biechele to fifteen years in prison, with four to serve and eleven years suspended, plus three years' probation, for his role in the fire. He don't know. In my head, I didnt even belong with them because I walked out without a scratch.. "We went out on a Thursday night to listen to music, drink some beers and have a good time. The Foam.". Phil Barr: I remember the smoke descended really quickly. A true hero would have gone for it, Vanner said. I just don't find him as guilty of anything. And I fell down the stairs, out that door. Linda Saran: Most of the crowd thought it was part of the show and didn't move. That's how thick the smoke was. That effort raised about $10,000 over seven years to help pay for the construction of the memorial park. The company paid a hefty settlement and they weren't the only ones. (crying) So I can't expect anybody else to. Pyrotechnics ignited foam insulation that lined the walls and ceiling around the stage, the National Institute of Standards and Technology concluded. It would have been my legacy, Vanner said. that door being up, there is no question that that increased the likelihood that many, many more would perish. JACK RUSSELL [news interview]: We never do anything without asking permission first. When fireworks ignited the soundproofing foam on the stage wall, he ran for a fire extinguisher. [2] The final tally by The Providence Journal of people inside the Station during the fire totaled 462. ", "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? Scott James: I decided I would start asking some questions. As it turns out, the foam they used was highly flammable. Jeff Derderian: None of the inspections and then follow-up inspections. We took shortcuts. He was granted parole and then released after 22 months. I did not lead them out, he said dismissively. So, it was very quickly they were in the circle of people we should look at. [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. So, I actually got a really good sense of the layout of the venue. It is the fourth-deadliest nightclub fire in U.S. history. I kicked out a side window to try to get people out of there. it was also on fire. [100], Gonsalves was inducted into the Rhode Island Radio and Television Hall of Fame in 2013. Receive the latest news and breaking updates, straight from our newsroom to your inbox. Linda Saran: I could have missed it all. Phil Barr: It was getting harder and harder to breathe I could feel tightness and constriction in my chest. Phil Barr: Yep. then as it heals, the scarring tightens up. Patrick Lynch: The defendant had every right to go to trial and say, hey, if it's this mysterious fax that it's trying to be referenced today, 18 years later, hey, this is important. Vanner spoke about how his life derailed after 11:07 p.m. on Feb. 20, 2003. PATRICK LYNCH [press conference]: We have an investigation on going and we need help, we need answers and I'm trying to get them. [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. Absolutely not. John Barylick is an attorney who represented victims in numerous wrongful death and personal injury cases arising from the Station nightclub fire. Jeff Derderian: That door was opened immediately and that's where the band went out. Patrick Lynch: Looking back on it I would say they ran it as a side business, an attempt to maybe make some extra money with the callous, utter disregard for those that work there and assemble there. "[58] The state parole board received approximately twenty letters, the majority of which expressed their sympathy and support for Biechele, some going as far as to describe him as a "scapegoat" with limited responsibility. As we mark 20 years since that night, here are those who. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. [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. That specific. [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. After the fire, multiple civil and criminal cases were filed. [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. it was happening so fast, fast, fast, fast. That exit door would soon be engulfed in flames. The Station was owned by brothers Jeff and Michael Derderian. Scott James: It was a typical kind of roadside dive. Phil Barr: and I felt the door and I just heaved my shoulder into it. Her fianc, Alfred Freddy Crisostomi, who was behind her, pushing her toward the door, perished. I try to say it in the lightest way possible, she said. 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? : In 2021, 48 Hours described the total civil payments to the victims and families as $176 million. undisputable. [76] Another memorial was later that night the West Warwick Civic Center. It's not just about hitting the next goal but doing something really meaningful. [tears up] And the roof and just everything just fast, too fast. Mon, February 20th 2023, 8:29 PM PST. [24] The first West Warwick fire engine arrived at the scene at 11:13 p.m., followed by three other trucks shortly thereafter. The Guest List is a strikingly visual film. He got a tire iron from his car, smashed the glass, and started pulling people out. It was really everything to me at that time. [48], Following the tragedy, Governor Donald Carcieri declared a moratorium on pyrotechnic displays at venues that hold fewer than 300 people. A California woman who had been injured in an accident and hadnt left her house in five years wrote her, she said. As Great White started their first song, their tour manager Daniel Biechele set off four large fireworks called gerbs. The fire quickly spread over the dance floor, along the ceiling. Gina Russo, who was in The Station on Feb. 20, 2003, barely made it out. My parents taught us a lot, a lot of things. Tracy King liked to entertain people with his unique talent. Patrick Lynch: Did he do his job perfectly? Joe Kinan was badly burned in the deadly Station Nightclub fire in Rhode Island that left 100 dead and 230 injured in February 2003 . I went around back. It justit was so fast. And he says you can. "It's hard to describe the level of agony. Jeff Derderian: They didn't even bring up the fax to him. Michael Derderian: Remember, I'm still in Florida. And he's like he don't know. Jim Axelrod: Do you feel, "Oh my goodness, we're in trouble?". The morning after the fire, the lead singer of Great White, Jack Russell, claimed the brothers had given the band permission to set off the fireworks. His work was instrumental in amassing 176 million dollars in settlements from persons and corporations responsible for the fire. At 55, he lives with his parents and keeps to himself. At first, there was no panic. [26] The Cowesett Inn restaurant across the street from the Station acted as an ad-hoc burn triage and command center for first responders. [21] A total of 462 people were in attendance, even though the club's maximum licensed capacity was cited as 404.[2]. Dont take life for granted and I miss her every day She was my world and now shes my angel.. It was crowded, and it was getting bad. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. One of them is never say die, never give up. Barr was located between the stage and the front door. In the months and years that followed, Jody also learned about Tracy's heroic last moments. The Derderians say that in the three years they owned the club, no one ever questioned the safety of the foam and say the club was inspected by their insurance company, and multiple times by the local Fire Marshal Denis Laroque. Linda will forever wear the scars of that horrible night. Even if he died trying. I could have missed that My friends that didn't survive that night have missed that. [2], Prior to being converted into a nightclub and concert venue, the Station building had been used as a restaurant and tavern. To satisfy noise complaints from neighbors, the brothers had installed foam along the club's walls and ceilings. Linda Saran: They have said they were sorry. Michael Derderian also spoke via phone to an investigator. Eighteen years later, there was no consensus among survivors when it comes to blame. [4] Another restaurant opened in the building in 1974. He was out there, and he just loved being in the center. Phil Barr: I went around the people trying to push to the front door. Vanner doesnt know when the night will be over. And I hear [moves her arms to the side with a whoosh] and out Deb went. [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. [57], On September 4, 2007, some families of the fire's victims expressed their support for Biechele's parole. In the stampede, 21 people were killed. S01:E03 - Station Nightclub Fire. S01:E01 - San Francisco Freeway Collapse. The brothers sent a fax to the foam company specifically asking for sound foam. She said she went into the club that night a naive, fun-loving 27-year-old and came out angry and feeling guilty. "We never knew the whole story because the trial never happened, so everything really never came out," says Jody King, whose brother worked at The Station as a bouncer. And I never expected it to take off as fast as it did. It seems senseless that something like this could happen. The fire seemed to burn quickly, she added. Updated on: October 24, 2021 / 2:07 AM First published on October 23, 2021 / 11:18 PM. She spoke with the Globe about Jefferey and Michael Derderian, the . They were friends. 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. Purchase and sale had been signed. For more information on your department or district joining the SAVE program click here or contact the California Fire Foundation at save@cpf.org or (916) 641-1707. I noticed when the pyro stopped, the flame had kept going on both sides. 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. She took a photograph of the stone of a man who died and sent it to his daughter in California. And by then, the black smoke was pouring out over their heads. 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.