Baltimore County Breaking News Dundalk, Zoom Blur Background Missing Mac, Ribena Juice Benefits, Hard Trick Shots To Do At Home, The Division 2 Lion Eyes Locations, Articles S

Scott James: He writes up this long, almost a manifesto about all the things that he thinks are wrong in that foam company that led to this tragedy. Patrick Lynch: The type of foam was equal to gallons of gasoline. His fiance, Tina Ayer, died at 33 in the fire, CBS Boston reported. Jeff Derderian: That door was opened immediately and that's where the band went out. It was completely preventable. The Derderians say that in the three years they owned the club, no one ever questioned the safety of the foam. The biggest question was, why had the fire spread so quickly? that door being up, there is no question that that increased the likelihood that many, many more would perish. Linda Saran: Most of the crowd thought it was part of the show and didn't move. [2], In the months prior to the fire, the building had been inspected twice by West Warwick fire marshal Denis Larocque. It justit was so fast. It seems like yesterday We were going to get married in June and she passed away in February, Cain told CBS. And people stood and watched it, and some people backed off. [61] Michael Derderian received fifteen years in prison, with four to serve and eleven years suspended, plus three years' probationthe same sentence as Biechele. 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. We have an exit through the kitchen. 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. It was that fast. Fifteen years since that terrible night. She took a photograph of the stone of a man who died and sent it to his daughter in California. and I just kind of went down on my face. Jody King kneels at his brother Tracy's memorial. 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. *One SAVE card issued per household that experiences 25% or greater damage to a primary residence. [79], The site of the fire was cleared, and a multitude of crosses were placed as memorials, left by loved ones of the deceased. One near the bar. It's not just about hitting the next goal but doing something really meaningful. You know people didn't react instantly. [3] A fire had previously occurred at the building in 1972 while it was used as a restaurant called Julio's. Linda Saran: They have said they were sorry. Jody King: He was gregarious. [48] Larocque had set various capacities for the Station in the years prior to the fire based on whether pool tables and other items could be moved. And I took a good look and I said, "Oh, st, I'm burned.". They all later accepted plea deals. 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. In the aftermath, West Warwick, Rhode Island TV news reporter Jeff Derderian wanted to run a story on nightclub safety. [39] WPRI-TV and Derderian were criticized for the conflict of interest in having a reporter do a report concerning his own property. He arrived early around 8:30 p.m. Phil Barr: There really weren't that many people around early in the night. The fire quickly spread over the dance floor, along the ceiling. [2] The final tally by The Providence Journal of people inside the Station during the fire totaled 462. Linda Saran: I could have missed it all. The Derderians have always maintained that they never gave the band permission to use pyrotechnics. That's all I can keep seeing in my head. In February 2008, Providence television station. "We have 39 confirmed fatalities, and we are still in the process of searching the rubble. [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. The fire left her with burns over 40 percent of her body, it incinerated her hair. 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 2021, shooting at a San Jose rail station. Cassidy was questioned by Customs and Border Protection in 2016, three sources familiar with the probe . Survivor of The Station nightclub fire reflects on 20th anniversary Jody King says his brother enjoyed working for the Derderians. Nightclub Fire", "Judge Accepts Plea Deal in Rhode Island Fire", "Co-owner of R.I. club where 100 died to be released early", "Band to pay $1M in case over deadly club fire", "Great White offers $1M to settle fatal fire suits", "Derderians reach settlement in nightclub fire", "Governments offer $20 million in RI nightclub fire", "Packaging company settles in R.I. nightclub fire", "McLaughlin & Moran, Anheuser-Busch offer $21M settlement in Station fire case", "Home Depot Settles In R.I. I can't speak Everything was, you know, sore and hoarse I picked up the pen in very weak, you know, kind of handwriting I wrote, "I hope to make progress every day.". [84] In September 2012, the owner of the land, Ray Villanova, donated the site to the SFMF. And I stood up. [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. 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. Patrick Lynch: Jeffrey and Michael Derderian. [103], Inspired by the fire, the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act has been proposed United States Senate and House of Representatives since 2003. Station fire, 15 years later: Survivors tell their stories The fire seemed to burn quickly, she added. In Memoriam: Victims of the Station Nightclub Fire - WPRI.com Linda Saran: It's like a riptide. [9] The lack of usable exits were also a factor, as was the inward door that Larocque had found and asked to be removed. The night of the fire, hundreds of people gathered at The Station to see the band Great White. Michael spent 33 months in prison, while Jeff had to do 500 hours of community service. [48] The grand jury also did not return charges against Russell. 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. One near the bar. And they played the arenas. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. [54] Darigan remarked, "The greatest sentence that can be imposed on you has been imposed on you by yourself. ", Scott James: They had their moments. [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. Last year, he was charged with striking a woman for whom he was a caretaker. I don't care what I'm going to see.". About The Guest List But Jeff Derderian, who was helping out at the bar, says he and an employee tried to get to the stage with a fire extinguisher. He tells her he wishes that hed tried to extinguish the fire. Her father has seven brothers, Pimentel said, and she was especially close to Carlos. Jim Axelrod: The brothers say," wait a minute, we ordered sound foam. Jim Axelrod: Describe The Station nightclub for me. Jim Axelrod: Over the course of the investigation, what did you learn about the way the brothers ran their business? 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]. [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. The brothers say they are still haunted by the events of that horrific night. [40][37] Derderian resigned from WPRI on June 30. I don't know that I'll ever forgive myself for what happened that night, so I can't expect anybody else to. Michael Derderian: Take this stuff down. The Station was a nightclub that was located on the corner of Cowesett Avenue and Kulas Road in West Warwick, Rhode Island. She endured more than 50 operations. 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. Patrick Lynch: I don't think anybody in anything that they did wanted anybody to die that night or get injured. 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? The Station Nightclub Fire: Revisiting the Lessons I try to say it in the lightest way possible, she said. In the stampede, 21 people were killed. Linda will forever wear the scars of that horrible night. 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. I went over, put my hands against the glass, and I started kicking at that window and it wouldn't break. Biechele. [96] By 2013, Russell's group had resumed playing "Desert Moon". Many of the families believed that the punishment was just; others had hoped for a more severe sentence. Biechele and Michael Derderian went to prison. For the first few years she shunned memorial ceremonies but eventually was convinced to go. Twisted Sister's Dee Snider Honors 2003 Station Nightclub Fire Victims [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. 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. And, according to the brothers, it was one of the first exits used when the fire started. Today Phil Barr is married and a father of two little girls. Jim Axelrod: I want to ask you about Phil Barr. 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. Father of youngest Station nightclub fire victim questions why owners They should have blamed more. Jeffrey Derderian received 500 hours of community service. For the Derderians, the "full story" begins with the issue of permission. It was liquid fire. 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. Michael and Jeff Derderian pleaded no contest to 100 counts of misdemeanor manslaughter and agreed to a deal. Produced by Betsy Shuller and Chris Young Ritzen. Vanner spoke about how his life derailed after 11:07 p.m. on Feb. 20, 2003. After 15 years of it being a dominant part of her everyday life, she said she is ready for it to be a part of her past. Gina Russo of Cranston, R.I. is a survivor of the Station nightclub fire and president of The Station Fire Memorial Foundation. She saw friends who had lost people they loved, others who had been burned and scarred by the fire, and felt embarrassed that she got out physically unharmed. Michael Derderian: Correct. Tracy King died saving many others the night of the fire. Multiple injured after shooting at San Jose nightclub | KRON4 The fire was now out of control; it had spread along the foam that lined the walls and ceiling intended to dampen sound. Michael Derderian: That is correct. [4] No occupants were in the building during the 1972 fire, but the interior was significantly damaged. But, you know, they have this following to this day . I never imagined that anyone ever would be. I couldn't hear screaming anymore. He sees his actions as a verdict on his own humanity. I would see the burn survivors, whom Im lucky enough to call friends, Del Sesto said. Scott James: It smelled like spilled beer and stale cigarettes and everything was just a little bit frayed at the edge. But with last years dedication of the Station Memorial Park on the site of the nightclub, she said she found that along with the scars, that night had provided her with a purpose in life and people she would otherwise never have known. That day let her put a period on the last sentence of Chapter Two, she said. [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. Russo said that the memorial serves a valuable purpose today for those who knew victims. [35], The fire, from its inception, was caught on videotape by cameraman Brian Butler for WPRI-TV of Providence, and the beginning of that tape was released to national news stations. He wrote: "This is a company that is well aware of the dangers of polyurethane foam. 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. Out of it. Michael Derderian: We say that they we're sorry for all of it. She wrote a book, meets with burn victims, talks to fire departments and fire safety groups across the country. Jeff Derderian: Why is it OK that the fire marshal is allowed to miss something or make a mistake and what he did was just an oops, but what we did was criminal? Today, we mourn the 100 lives lost in the Station nightclub fire and the hundreds more whose lives will never be the same. Its just one of those things thats ingrained in you.. Jody King: Hopped out of bed, grabbed my clothes, grabbed my keys, hopped in the car and took off. I am proud. 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. [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. Shed read Russos book, about how the fire left her a bald chick, and it convinced her to go back out into the world. "[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. But never once do they say, "we screwed up." [9] Although Warner was called to testify to a grand jury, he was not asked about the fax. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Phil Barr: I went around the people trying to push to the front door. And he says you can. [60] As of 2013[update], Biechele lived in Florida with his wife and two children. Killer Show: The Station Nightclub Fire, America's Deadliest Rock (WATCH) The Station Nightclub Fire is Remembered in the Documentary He was granted parole and then released after 22 months. I look at my scars every day. 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. That night is not a coherent memory for her, she said, but a sequence of moments when she was hyper-focused on finding her friends or helping those around her. 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. 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. Scott James: They are what they call 15x15. The blaze began when the band Jack Russell's Great White took the stage and their tour manager set off four large fireworks. PATRICK LYNCH [news interview]: Certainly, there are people we are looking at, ultimately, we may target. 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. Michael Derderian: He's completely out of it. 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 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. [94] Russell's group made its first New England appearance in twelve years at a harvest festival in Mechanic Falls, Maine, in August 2015. At the time of the fire, he had just started a new job closer to home in Providence at the local CBS station. Obviously the nightclub was not in compliance, and there never should have been pyrotechnics, but there's no evidence the bouncers blocked people from . 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. Jack Russell declined "48 Hours"' request for an interview. There was nothing heroic about what I did.. These are videos of prior performances taken inside the club. The Foam.". 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. And I was responsible for the day to day. 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. The Derderians bought the club as an investment. 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. According to Lynch, under Rhode Island law, the fire marshal could not be criminally charged unless there was evidence of bad faith or malice. And the following year he was able to accomplish the impossible and rejoin his swim team. 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. They all say I never would have stopped it, and I probably wouldnt have. This page was last edited on 3 March 2023, at 14:21. Phil Barr: You know just have a beer, see a concert. [2] Larocque later told the Rhode Island State Police that he had not spotted the polyurethane foam during the November 2002 inspection because he was upset after finding an illegal inward swinging door that he had previously asked to be removed from the building. Within six minutes, the entire building was engulfed in flames. 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. 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. Inside The Inferno: The Station Nightclub Fire | Thought Catalog Daniel Biechele, the tour manager for Great White who had ignited the pyrotechnics, plead guilty to 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter in 2006 and was sentenced to fifteen years in prison with four to serve. And then, ever so slowly, he learned to walk again. And I fell down the stairs, out that door. She said she spent years after that in pain and anger. Phil Barr: and I felt the door and I just heaved my shoulder into it. And 18 years after the fire, the brothers say they want to set the record straight and reveal new information. A decade ago, a survivor . And I never expected it to take off as fast as it did. Jody King: Nine different families have come up to me and said "thank you for having a great brother. 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. It didn't have a lock on it. That specific. Michael Derderian: Remember, I'm still in Florida. If they stood up and said, small business owners, we were inexperienced.