Warner lived next to The Station and had met the brothers. [93] In the years following the fire, Great White split into two separate groups, one led by Russell and the other by Kendall. Produced by Betsy Shuller and Chris Young Ritzen. it was happening so fast, fast, fast, fast. Scott James: The fire alarm you hear it kick in. Michael spent 33 months in prison, while Jeff had to do 500 hours of community service. It looked like it was raining black fire. I couldn't hear noise. Phil Barr: You know just have a beer, see a concert. Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch opened an investigation and convened a grand jury to determine if anyone should face criminal charges. Tweet. That's all I can keep seeing in my head. It is the fourth-deadliest nightclub fire in U.S. history. Hundreds of people ran to the only exit many of them knew the way they came in. 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. Dan McKee honored the victims, their families, and the first responders who saved many lives. 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. I went and laid down next to Deb and just waited to die. "[58], Dave Kane and Joanne O'Neill, parents of youngest victim Nicholas O'Neill, released their letter to the board to reporters. He turned back to see the crowd bottle-necked at the stage. [11] Dominic Santana, the owner of The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, New Jersey, told reporters that Great White had used pyrotechnics during their February 14, 2003 performance at the venue without his permission, and their contract and rider did not mention pyrotechnics displays. PATRICK LYNCH [press conference]: We have an investigation on going and we need help, we need answers and I'm trying to get them. Tracy King worked at The Station as a bouncer. The roof was caving in, walls were caving in, body after body in front of me. [12] Kendall, who had co-founded the band with Russell in 1977, had rejoined Russell's version of the group in 2002. First published on October 23, 2021 / 11:18 PM. Linda Saran was a regular at The Station. There's an exit near the stage. ", "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? Why had the fire spread so quickly? [100], Gonsalves was inducted into the Rhode Island Radio and Television Hall of Fame in 2013. 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. . then as it heals, the scarring tightens up. there are other people who should be responsible. Lying on the floor not far from the horseshoe bar, Barr lost consciousness. The brothers, however, find that hard to believe considering the foam covered the walls, ceiling and even the inward swinging door he cited as a violation. Barr was located between the stage and the front door. Stay up to date with everything Boston. Biechele pleaded guilty to 100 counts of misdemeanor manslaughter and was sentenced to four years in prison. 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. [21] Thick smoke began to fill the station one minute after the ignition and the crowd began to escape the building. 0:57. Patrick Lynch: I can't remember, honestly. When I turned around, some people were already trying to leave, and others were just sitting there going, "Yeah, that's great!" I know how this tragedy has devastated me, but I can only begin to understand what the people who lost loved ones have endured. Jim Axelrod: Were you a fan of the band Great White? Jeff Derderian: I remember we were trying to get people away from the building. 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. [9] In 2008, American Foam agreed to pay $6.3 million to the families of the victims of the fire. And I was responsible for the day to day. There is one consistent thing I have learned after 18 years in the At least 12 dead after winter storm slams South, Midwest, The Saturday Six: Dental device controversy, scientist's bug find and more, Trump speaks at CPAC after winning straw poll, 3 children killed, 2 others wounded at Texas home, Man charged for alleged involvement in 2 transformer explosions, Nikki Haley slams potential GOP contenders, and Trump and George W. Bush, Duo of 81-year-old women plan to see the world in 80 days, Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant to "take some time away" from the team after allegedly brandishing a gun in a club, Alex Murdaugh trial: What to know about the double murder case. Linda Saran: I could have missed it all. After the investigation ended and prosecutors had no more questions, after reporters stopped calling and the years passed since that deadly night, the man who was the sound technician and stage manager at The Station nightclub was left with his thoughts. The fire started shortly after Great White began performing their opening number, "Desert Moon". [79], The site of the fire was cleared, and a multitude of crosses were placed as memorials, left by loved ones of the deceased. "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. An off-duty police officer standing outside had heard her kicking at the window. Last year, he was charged with striking a woman for whom he was a caretaker. 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. [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. [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. Michael Derderian: It would have been horrific to have people go through this. His fiance, Tina Ayer, died at 33 in the fire, CBS Boston reported. Everyone carries baggage and I think at some point you figure out how to pack it and carry it with you, she said. [48] The capacity for the Station was either 258 or 404, depending on how the building was being used. Club owners Jeffrey and Michael Derderian reached a settlement of $813,000 with survivors and victims' families in September 2008. Seconds later, flames appeared on the back wall. Susan Nicol. His work was instrumental in amassing 176 million dollars in settlements from persons and corporations responsible for the fire. 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. Jim Axelrod: There are so many people still to this day angry that the case didn't go to trial. [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. Her bill was $646 that month, she said. It was really everything to me at that time. He is now seven years sober from cocaine, although alcohol is a more pestering problem, he says. And, according to the brothers, it was one of the first exits used when the fire started. It had to end, for me and it ended in the most beautiful way.. [84] In September 2012, the owner of the land, Ray Villanova, donated the site to the SFMF. 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. "There really weren't that many people around early in the night. 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. The blaze began when the band Jack Russell's Great White took the stage and their tour manager set off four large fireworks. But never once do they say, "we screwed up." He sees a court-ordered therapist, who has told him he has depression and PTSD. It would become one of the deadliest fires in a club in U.S. history. John Barylick is an attorney who represented victims in numerous wrongful death and personal injury cases arising from the Station nightclub fire. But even more than walking, Phil wanted to return to swimming. Survivor Phil Barr arrived to The Station early the night of the concert. For the Derderians, the "full story" begins with the issue of permission. Fifteen years since that terrible night. They are speaking out about the fire for the first time. He arrived early around 8:30 p.m. Phil Barr: There really weren't that many people around early in the night. My parents taught us a lot, a lot of things. To the right is this much larger space in front of a stage. Michael Derderian: We say that they we're sorry for all of it. [28], Of the 462 people in the building for the concert, 100 were killed, 230 were injured, and 132 escaped uninjured. Jody King: I spent the next five or six hours going back and forth in the parking lot talking to firemen, asking firemen, "can you please pull the sheets back for me? and I just kind of went down on my face. Patrick Lynch: Jeffrey and Michael Derderian. In the months and years that followed, Jody also learned about Tracy's heroic last moments. And he says you can. The Derderians say that in the three years they owned the club, no one ever questioned the safety of the foam. 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. Doreen Schechter and Gary Winter are the editors. Michael Derderian: The field test is crystal clear. The first was her life before Feb. 20, 2003. 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. 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. [9] American Foam refuted the claims in Warner's fax. He had failed to get a license for the pyrotechnics from the State of Rhode Island and permits from the local fire department. The brothers sent a fax to the foam company specifically asking for sound foam. Linda Saran and her friend Deb were in the atrium, huddled together under a table. [29] The initial death toll was 96 people; Four more individuals died in the hospital in the weeks following, bringing the toll to 100. That night, he allowed a cameraman to shoot footage inside the club for an upcoming story about safety in public venues. [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. The Station nightclub fire would become one of the deadliest fires in a club in U.S. history. She sees telling the story of the Station fire as a way of preventing others from going through the same thing. [93] After a 2013 legal settlement between the two parties, Kendall's band retained the Great White name, while Russell's band was allowed to use the name Jack Russell's Great White. And he's like he don't know. [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. 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. Jeff Derderian: That door was meant to block the noise from the neighbors. Do you understand that anger? Patrick Lynch: Did he do his job perfectly? But she said she also wants to keep the people she has met from that night, who she sees as friends and not sharers of a horrible experience. Michael Derderian: I don't know about that. And Paul Vanner didnt like what he saw. Jason Hahn. The fire was the fourth-deadliest at a nightclub in U.S. history, and the second-deadliest in New England, behind the 1942 Cocoanut Grove fire, which resulted in 492 deaths.