Nine months after the fire, the club's owners, brothers Jeff and Michael Derderian, along with Daniel Biechele, the band's tour manager, were each charged with 200 counts of involuntary. [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. But, you know, they have this following to this day . Jody King: Nine different families have come up to me and said "thank you for having a great brother. Jim Axelrod: And that's when the despair sinks in. [76] Another memorial was later that night the West Warwick Civic Center. Seconds later, flames appeared on the back wall. 0:57. The night of the fire, hundreds of people gathered at The Station to see Great White, an 80s band now with some new members lead by singer Jack Russell and known mainly for their hit "Once Bitten, Twice Shy. And he says you can. That effort raised about $10,000 over seven years to help pay for the construction of the memorial park. But it's fun. It's like a surge of bodies. [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. 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. But the night of the fire it was up to help cut down the noise. Linda Saran: I said, "you know what? once you could no longer see, it was total pandemonium. In the months and years that followed, Jody also learned about Tracy's heroic last moments. It just so happens that we're . It started as part of the fundraising basketball games she organized at the school. 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. A true hero would have gone for it, Vanner said. Linda Saran and Phil Barr, badly injured, were transported to a local hospital. [59], Biechele's parole and probation expired in March 2011. He was worried about his brother Tracy who worked there as a bouncer. For the Derderians, the "full story" begins with the issue of permission. MICHAEL DERDERIAN [at sentencing hearing]: There is so much pain and heartache that happened on our doorstep. I had the fire extinguisher in my hand, Vanner said. Monday marked the 20th anniversary of the Station nightclub fire, one of the deadliest blazes to ever occur at a nightclub in the United States. Sparks from the gerbs ignited the insulation foam, and flames were visible on the wall above the stage within nine seconds of their ignition. Eighteen years later, there was no consensus among survivors when it comes to blame. my dad was in the room. I am proud. PATRICK LYNCH [press conference]: We have an investigation on going and we need help, we need answers and I'm trying to get them. Scott James: It smelled like spilled beer and stale cigarettes and everything was just a little bit frayed at the edge. She said she went into the club that night a naive, fun-loving 27-year-old and came out angry and feeling guilty. [60] As of 2013[update], Biechele lived in Florida with his wife and two children. Regardless, Lynch points out the Derderians still chose to take a plea deal instead of going to trial. In the other rooms, the smoke hadn't gotten to them, the flame wasn't that bad, they didn't think anything of it. They all say I never would have stopped it, and I probably wouldnt have. Michael and Jeff Derderian pleaded no contest to 100 counts of misdemeanor manslaughter and agreed to a deal. I couldn't hear screaming anymore. 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. [79], The site of the fire was cleared, and a multitude of crosses were placed as memorials, left by loved ones of the deceased. At 55, he lives with his parents and keeps to himself. "I literally baked alive," says Linda Barr. " Phil Barr: and I felt the door and I just heaved my shoulder into it. [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. We talk about fire safety a bit, I dont get too, too far into it.. 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. He arrived early around 8:30 p.m. Phil Barr: There really weren't that many people around early in the night. "It feels like somebody knew somebody who was in that fire or knew somebody who did, so the pain is very personal.". [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. He got a tire iron from his car, smashed the glass, and started pulling people out. Petrarca remembers one of the most beautiful moments shes had. Its just one of those things thats ingrained in you.. Why had the fire spread so quickly? Linda Saran: When I first went out the window, I landed on the stairs. Season 1. The tragedy, she said, heightened her appreciation of the life she was allowed, for whatever reason, to continue. But then the door would go back up when it was going to be a loud night. 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. 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, Stephen Sweet, a Quincy firefighter who lost his cousin Shawn Sweet in the fire, came to play the bagpipes at a memorial ceremony Monday, WCVB reported. Linda will forever wear the scars of that horrible night. The following day the brothers responded at a press conference: JEFF DERDERIAN: No permission was ever requested by the band or any of its agents to use pyrotechnics at The Station, and no permission was ever given. As the crowd bottlenecked at the clubs entrance, thick black smoke poured out of the building and over their heads. some bleeding I could notice in my throat. [21] A total of 462 people were in attendance, even though the club's maximum licensed capacity was cited as 404.[2]. Warner lived next to The Station and had met the brothers. You walk on the property, and it doesnt feel tragic anymore. His fiance, Tina Ayer, died at 33 in the fire, CBS Boston reported. The company paid a hefty settlement and they weren't the only ones. At the scene, Jody King was desperate for information about his brother, and began to fear the worst. 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. Fifteen years since that terrible night. Scott James: They only have about 60 seconds to get out of the building if they're going to live. When Laroque testified before the grand jury he claimed he never saw the foam. The brothers have always maintained that they never gave the band permission to use pyrotechnics. it became very, very hard to breathe. Jim Axelrod: If the brothers are relying on the fire marshal to tell them whether or not they can continue to do business. A West Warwick police officer who was already at the scene also reported the fire to police dispatch. Vanner wonders whether he could have saved them. They were told to take it down. He sees his actions as a verdict on his own humanity. They want to talk to you." Gina Russo, who was in The Station on Feb. 20, 2003, barely made it out. [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. But I dont want it to define the rest of my life. [4] The nightclub was purchased by brothers Michael and Jeffrey Derderian in March 2000. Michael Derderian: Take this stuff down. The fire started shortly after Great White began performing their opening number, "Desert Moon". Biechele was released from prison in 2008 after some families of the victims expressed their support for his parole. So, I would think that the pyrotechnic provision would be in there just like we need to have, you know, 12 M&Ms, I mean, you know, and they need to be brown. 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. We couldn't make it. [21] The Station did not have a sprinkler system installed. [93] In the years following the fire, Great White split into two separate groups, one led by Russell and the other by Kendall. That is the furthest exit away from the stage But it's a relatively straight line. He was the. When King arrived, he saw the devastating scene. And I took a good look and I said, "Oh, st, I'm burned.". They are speaking out about the fire for the first time. Phil Barr: I loved it. Gina Russo, a survivor of The Station nightclub fire. [24] Hundreds of firefighters responded to the fire, including every available West Warwick firefighter. The pyrotechnics were gerbs, cylindrical devices that produce a controlled spray of sparks. [95], Russell performed a benefit show in February 2013 in Hermosa Beach, California in commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the fire. And that's when I noticed the black on my arms. "[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. So, I actually got a really good sense of the layout of the venue.". Hundreds of people ran to the only exit many of them knew the way they came in. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Scott James: You have four exits. Michael Derderian also spoke via phone to an investigator. There's an exit near the stage. 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 why wasn't the foam company charged? Todd King, a founder of The Station Family Fund, said today the fund . I've been after this bike for over 4 years and I finally got the call! But with last springs dedication of the memorial on the old nightclub site, Del Sesto said she thinks she has found a way not to forget, but to live with the memories. [2], Prior to being converted into a nightclub and concert venue, the Station building had been used as a restaurant and tavern. Since I had been there earlier in the night, I knew that there was at least an exit in the back barroom. [103], Inspired by the fire, the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act has been proposed United States Senate and House of Representatives since 2003. And I sent it to her and the best compliment I ever got was oh, his hairs fantastic.. [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. We have an exit through the kitchen. Jim Axelrod: Who's responsible for that foam going up on the wall? [12] The rest of the lineup included guitarist Ty Longley, who died in the fire, bass guitarist Dave Felice, and drummer Eric Powers. [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. Dan Biechele, center, at his sentencing. [52] Speaking to the public for the first time since the fire, Biechele stated: For three years, I've wanted to be able to speak to the people that were affected by this tragedy, but I know that there's nothing that I can say or do that will undo what happened that night.
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