Linda Saran was a regular at The Station. Honored to have been able to attend such an in depth and eye opening training opportunity. But I should have at least tried.. In the days after the fire, victims' families and survivors faced a harsh new reality. It was that fast. [tearing up] "What a great brother you have. Phil Barr [teary-eyed]: Getting another opportunity to live my life came with enormous responsibility. fine against Station Nightclub owners upheld", "Station nightclub fire survivor tells how she's moved on in new book", "The Station fire took emotional toll on survivors, study finds", "Tentative $30 million deal in R. I. nightclub fire", "TV station that assigned reporter to cover his own nightclub raises ethical issue", "Station Video Spurs Lawsuit - Pollstar News", "Nightclub owner resigns from WPRI television", "Report of the Technical Investigation of The Station Nightclub Fire: Appendices (NIST NCSTAR 2), Volume 2", "Grand Jury Convened to Probe Deadly R.I. [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. After the fire, multiple civil and criminal cases were filed. [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. Many of the families believed that the punishment was just; others had hoped for a more severe sentence. Phil Barr: It was getting harder and harder to breathe I could feel tightness and constriction in my chest. I never wanted anyone to be hurt in any way. Eighteen years later, there is no consensus among survivors when it comes to blame. [37] The report had been inspired by the E2 nightclub stampede in Chicago that killed 21 people three days earlier. NFPA on LinkedIn: Station Nightclub Fire Survivor Returns to the Scene [28], Of the 462 people in the building for the concert, 100 were killed, 230 were injured, and 132 escaped uninjured. But I made a choice. On February 20, 2003 at about 11:10 p.m., Jody King got a call that something was going on at The Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island. Jeff Derderian: I remember we were trying to get people away from the building. The shooting was first reported at 12:04 a.m. in the 300 block of S. 1st . It was really everything to me at that time. 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. And then, ever so slowly, he learned to walk again. The crime scene evidence that convicted Alex Murdaugh, How a tragic boating crash is connected to the family of Alex Murdaugh, Five deaths with a connection to Alex Murdaugh's family investigated, Husband of woman murdered with an ax convicted 40 years after her death. / CBS News. Scott James: When people arrive, they walk through this entrance and this kinda longish hallway. Bruce Cain also lost someone who he was prepared to spend the rest of his life with. [44] The NIST report was released on March 3, 2005 and was made available in two parts on June 30, 2005. [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. 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. That's all I can keep seeing in my head. And outside I went. Almost immediately the finger pointing started. [84] In September 2012, the owner of the land, Ray Villanova, donated the site to the SFMF. 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. I don't care what I'm going to see.". Michael Derderian also spoke via phone to an investigator. That was his gift. There was no one coming out the back door anymore. 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. [89] The band raised $185,000 for the Station Family Fund during the tour. They didn't even let him talk about it. [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. Great White's tour manager Daniel Biechele also faced the same charges. I refused to accept that as the outcome. I have to find him. 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. Jeffrey Derderian received 500 hours of community service. Taking her students to the memorial park and telling them what it means were ways of building that memory, she said. 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 ran across the room and I ran face-first into the wall. 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. Robin Petrarca was in New York City three weeks ago, looking for some laughs in a comedy club. Gina Russo, who was in The Station on Feb. 20, 2003, barely made it out. To the right is this much larger space in front of a stage. And that song reminds us of that night. They said a critical piece of evidence was never presented to the grand jury. Why had the fire spread so quickly? [29] The initial death toll was 96 people; Four more individuals died in the hospital in the weeks following, bringing the toll to 100. Phil Barr: I went around the people trying to push to the front door. It's like a surge of bodies. One hundred people died, and hundreds more suffered. That's how thick the smoke was. Jack Russell declined "48 Hours"' request for an interview. But the night of the fire it was up to help cut down the noise. 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. Michael Derderian: Zero. It looked like a ladder of those black jelly bracelets from the 80s hanging in rings around my wrists. They were told to take it down. 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. Foam the Derderians had installed along the club's walls and ceilings to conceal noise was highly flammable and "was equal to gallons of gasoline. [tears up, shaking his head]. Isn't that an important fact in determining who's at fault? But I dont want it to define the rest of my life. As a human being how do you not feel some sort of responsibility for that ? Scott James: It was a typical kind of roadside dive. During a concert by the rock band Great White, a pyrotechnic display ignited flammable acoustic foam in the walls and ceilings surrounding the stage. As numerous violations of existing codes contributed to the severity of the fire, there was immediate effort to strengthen fire code protections. The brothers say there was evidence that the grand jury never heard. In the end, the survivors and victims' families settled for a total of $176 million. In Memoriam: Victims of the Station Nightclub Fire - WPRI.com San Jose shooting suspect prepared 'to take as many lives as he Station fire, 15 years later: Survivors tell their stories [32] The fine was not resolved until 2013, ten years after the fire, when it was upheld by a judge. Club owners Jeffrey and Michael Derderian reached a settlement of $813,000 with survivors and victims' families in September 2008. Linda Saran: The foam was raining down and the flames are dripping from the ceiling. In 2008, the band agreed to pay $1. [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. 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. This is a massive part of my life. They want to talk to you." [57], On September 4, 2007, some families of the fire's victims expressed their support for Biechele's parole. [48], Following the tragedy, Governor Donald Carcieri declared a moratorium on pyrotechnic displays at venues that hold fewer than 300 people. The state of Rhode Island is small," says author Scott James. There was a table in the way at the door, and I pulled that out just to get it out of the way so people could get out easier. S01:E01 - San Francisco Freeway Collapse. local Four nonstop. 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. [24] Hundreds of firefighters responded to the fire, including every available West Warwick firefighter. Survivors of the Station nightclub fire reflect on tragedy's 20th The Station nightclub in West Warwick, R.I., was on fire . 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. [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. One near the bar. Michael Derderian: And I'm saying to him "Did everybody get out Did anyone die?" Michael Derderian: Correct. How did you meet him? [48] The grand jury also did not return charges against Russell. Michael owned a financial services business; Jeff was a local news reporter. PATRICK LYNCH [news interview]: Certainly, there are people we are looking at, ultimately, we may target. He arrived early around 8:30 p.m. Phil Barr: There really weren't that many people around early in the night. He apologized to the families of the victims and made no attempt to mitigate his guilt," the letter said. 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. [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". [21] Thick smoke began to fill the station one minute after the ignition and the crowd began to escape the building. These days, she uses her job as a teacher at John F. Deering Middle School to make it so those who didnt suffer so directly will remember it too. [38] Derderian had begun working for WPRI on February 17, three days before the fire. Linda Saran: They have said they were sorry. Jim Axelrod: Were you a fan of the band Great White? [14] In the aftermath of the fire, Great White and the owners of the Station disputed whether the band were allowed to use the pyrotechnic display during their concert. Biechele was released from prison in 2008 after some families of the victims expressed their support for his parole. 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. S01:E02 - Joplin Tornado. When I turned around, some people were already trying to leave, and others were just sitting there going, "Yeah, that's great!" It had to be two minutes tops before the whole place was black smoke. It seems like yesterday We were going to get married in June and she passed away in February, Cain told CBS. And then the main exit that hallway where everyone came through. Linda Saran: I could have missed it all. 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. Out of it. [31], Four employees of the Station were killed in the fire. 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. 2021 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. 'We've been trying to move forward': Station nightclub fire survivor on [103], Inspired by the fire, the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act has been proposed United States Senate and House of Representatives since 2003. Patrick Lynch: Not only was the door up, which it shouldn't have been, opened inward which it shouldn't have It was covered in foam. [3] A fire had previously occurred at the building in 1972 while it was used as a restaurant called Julio's. Also outside was club owner Jeff Derderian. Jody King: We never knew the whole story because the trial never happened, so everything really never came out. That was the most important thing, they didnt freak.. Del Sesto said her life is told in three chapters now. Tracy King died saving many others the night of the fire. "There really weren't that many people around early in the night. The Station Fire: 100 victims in photos - The Providence Journal It's not just about hitting the next goal but doing something really meaningful. [82] The stop was removed from the game by developer Niantic later that month. It was completely preventable. The brothers have since learned that the fire marshal should have tested the foam on the wall. He still remembers that deadly night. He was the. [102] It is left for each state or local jurisdiction to legally enact and enforce the current code changes. There had to be that period for me. [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. Hundreds of people ran to the only exit many of them knew the way they came in. The Derderians say despite their love for the club the business had peaked, and they were in the process of selling it. 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. "[5], Many of the survivors of the fire developed post-traumatic stress disorder after the event. [4] No occupants were in the building during the 1972 fire, but the interior was significantly damaged. She endured more than 50 operations. [61], In January 2008, the Parole Board decided to grant Michael Derderian an early release; he was scheduled to be released from prison in September 2009, but was granted his release in June 2009 for good behavior.[64]. In February 2006 three years after the station nightclub burned down many in Rhode Island were shocked to learn that instead of a trial, a plea deal had been reached with Daniel Biechele, the tour manager for the band Great White. [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. At first, there was no panic. Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch opened an investigation and convened a grand jury to determine if anyone should face criminal charges. Based upon its work, Tentative Interim Amendments (TIAs) were issued for the national standard "Life Safety Code" (NFPA 101), in July 2003. Jody King: Hopped out of bed, grabbed my clothes, grabbed my keys, hopped in the car and took off. We're running out of time." In February 2008, Providence television station. So, it was very quickly they were in the circle of people we should look at. The fire seemed to burn quickly, she added. My parents taught us a lot, a lot of things. [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. [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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. [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. Jeff Derderian: this is flammable you can't have this. [2], Prior to the fire, the Station often hosted concerts by 1980s hard rock groups and tribute bands. . Today marks the 20th anniversary of The Station nightclub fire in West Warwick, RI, which killed 100 people. "[58], Dave Kane and Joanne O'Neill, parents of youngest victim Nicholas O'Neill, released their letter to the board to reporters. It made me realize, I might be only one person, but my story and my injuries were making people listen, she said. Scott James: The fire alarm you hear it kick in. Those at the nightclub had to act soon, as smoke was visible in the exit doorways in just over one minute. "48 Hours" is not showing any of that footage. The fire started shortly after Great White began performing their opening number, "Desert Moon". ", Scott James: They had their moments. Joshua Sanders, MS, IAAI-CFI on LinkedIn: ATF_NCETR on Twitter The Station nightclub owners Michael, left, and Jeffrey Derderian, right, pleaded no contest to 100 counts of misdemeanor manslaughter and agreed to a deal. We have an exit through the kitchen. It fuels you. 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. "I literally baked alive," says Linda Barr. " Scott James: They only have about 60 seconds to get out of the building if they're going to live. SAN JOSE (BCN) - Three people were injured in a shooting that occurred Saturday morning at San Jose's Aura nightclub. So, it was not a great decision to use these inside a nightclub that only has 12-foot ceilings. And why wasn't the foam company charged? First published on October 23, 2021 / 11:18 PM. [9] Jeffrey Derderian said the door was also installed due to noise, and they had removed it as asked, but sometimes re-installed it if the venue was going to be loud that night, and it was used by the band to escape the building during the fire. Its irrelevant.. In December 2003, nine months after the fire, Jeff and Michael Derderian were in court, each charged with 200 counts of involuntary manslaughter 100 for criminal negligence, and 100 for misdemeanor manslaughter. The flanking gerbs became the principal cause of the fire. He tells her he wishes that hed tried to extinguish the fire. Jim Axelrod: Mr. Warner's fax wasn't presented to the grand jury, correct? He sees his actions as a verdict on his own humanity. Even if he died trying. The four exits inside The Station: "There's an exit near the stage an exit through the kitchen. 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. [81] In August 2016, the site was reported to have been being used as a PokeStop in Pokmon Go, to uproar from victims' families. The Station nightclub fire: What happened, how many died, who was Joe Kinan was badly burned in the deadly Station Nightclub fire in Rhode Island that left 100 dead and 230 injured in February 2003 . Linda Saran: I think a lot of people miss out on the moments. Jim Axelrod: Over the course of the investigation, what did you learn about the way the brothers ran their business? Dont take life for granted and I miss her every day She was my world and now shes my angel.. Share. Patrick Lynch: I can't remember, honestly. Jim Axelrod: I want to ask you about Phil Barr. This article was originally published on Oct. 22, 2021. Updated on: October 24, 2021 / 2:07 AM Twisted Sister's Dee Snider Honors 2003 Station Nightclub Fire Victims Gina Russo, a survivor of The Station nightclub fire. It would have been my legacy, Vanner said. [59], Biechele's parole and probation expired in March 2011. That happened in 2001. 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]. We took shortcuts. there was nothing that would make it so you couldn't get out of it. 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. [11] For the 2003 tour, the band was billed as "Jack Russell's Great White". [93] In the years following the fire, Great White split into two separate groups, one led by Russell and the other by Kendall. It took about five years to come to terms with that, she said. [2] The club was cited for nine minor code violations during the first inspection in November 2002, but was not cited for the flammable polyurethane foam the venue used for soundproofing, which was against code. It was already in contract. The biggest question was, why had the fire spread so quickly? That night, he allowed a cameraman to shoot footage inside the club for an upcoming story about safety in public venues. [49] The tour started five months after the fire, and each concert began with a prayer for survivors and families. The message is, Dont forget. Never forget these people or forget what happened., Stay up to date on all the latest news from Boston.com. Linda Saran: Most of the crowd thought it was part of the show and didn't move. Patrick Lynch: Jeffrey and Michael Derderian. On Feb. 20, 2003, 100 people were killed and more than 200 others were injured in a fire at the Station nightclub in West Warwick. That specific. I would forgive them in a heartbeat. So, to the people who think we don't own it I'm telling you, we DO own it ok? 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. [12] Great White's popularity had waned in the decade prior to the Station fire, and they had been performing on a touring circuit of small clubs with capacities of up to 500 people. The Station nightclub fire: What happened, how many died, who was But instead, I chose to run like a common coward.. I couldn't hear noise. I was asked to work the merch table for the band, so I was getting 40 bucks and two T-shirts. It just so happens that we're . But he didn't know what. Its surreal. 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? [2], Prior to being converted into a nightclub and concert venue, the Station building had been used as a restaurant and tavern. [48] Some victims' families criticized the 48 Hours segment and the Derderians' involvement. I went back around the front again, and that's when you saw people stacked on top of each other, trying to get out of the front door.

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