[49] The tour started five months after the fire, and each concert began with a prayer for survivors and families. Michael Derderian: I don't know about that. Jim Axelrod: To people who feel that the two of you have never said we own this what do you say? 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? PATRICK LYNCH [press conference]: We have an investigation on going and we need help, we need answers and I'm trying to get them. [54] Darigan remarked, "The greatest sentence that can be imposed on you has been imposed on you by yourself. As a human being how do you not feel some sort of responsibility for that ? Jim Axelrod: The brothers say," wait a minute, we ordered sound foam. [58], On September 19, 2007, the Rhode Island Parole Board announced that Biechele would be released in March 2008. And why wasn't the foam company charged? It started as part of the fundraising basketball games she organized at the school. [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. [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. There is one consistent thing I have learned after 18 years in the PATRICK LYNCH [news interview]: Certainly, there are people we are looking at, ultimately, we may target. She paused, her eyes tearing. Now in private practice, Lynch says he looked into a host of people. We talk about fire safety a bit, I dont get too, too far into it.. I never wanted anyone to be hurt in any way. But even more than walking, Phil wanted to return to swimming. 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. 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. Remembering the Station Nightclub Fire - ICC [30] Longley reportedly died after returning to the building to retrieve his guitar. Linda Saran and Phil Barr, badly injured, were transported to a local hospital. "[5], Many of the survivors of the fire developed post-traumatic stress disorder after the event. 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 try to say it in the lightest way possible, she said. When January comes each year, she starts a lesson, delicately, talking about The Station and how there was a fire there. 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. Michael Derderian: Zero. Share. He threw my wife, my cousin, my uncle, my sister out a window." The TIAs also required additional crowd manager personnel, among other things. Phil Barr: Being a survivor of The Station nightclub fire is a piece of who I am. "Why me?" 20 years later, Station nightclub fire survivors talk guilt Like you feel that kinship that, you know, "God, I really hope this guy makes it." 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. 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. 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. [43][45], An investigation of the fire by a Rhode Island state grand jury was started by then-Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch on February 26, 2003. 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. Jim Axelrod: Who's responsible for that foam going up on the wall? And that's when it starts to hit you all that you've lost. I look at my scars every day. The night of the fire Jeff Derderian gave a statement to the local police and another one to an investigator with the Attorney General's Office. The Guest List is a strikingly visual film. [21], Among those who died in the fire were Great White guitarist Ty Longley, and the show's emcee, WHJY DJ Mike "The Doctor" Gonsalves. Also there that night was Bates College student Phil Barr, who was home for winter break. I kicked out a side window to try to get people out of there. It just so happens that we're . [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. I don't care what I'm going to see.". The Feb. 20, 2003. Stay up to date with everything Boston. he was very kind about it, but he said, "I don't ever see you competitively swimming again." 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. And they're quick to point out the club was inspected by their insurance company, and multiple times by the local Fire Marshal Denis Laroque. Lying on the floor not far from the horseshoe bar, Barr lost consciousness. 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. Biechele was released from prison on March 19, 2008. Linda Saran: Most of the crowd thought it was part of the show and didn't move. . That was in like the 80s. REELZ today announced the network's original documentary America's Deadliest Rock Concert: The Guest List premieres February 20th at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT presenting the deeply personal stories of lives forever altered by the tragic Station nightclub fire that left 100 people dead, more than 200 injured and devastated the tight-knit community of West Warwick, Rhode Island. Season 1. Joshua Sanders, MS, IAAI-CFI on LinkedIn: ATF_NCETR on Twitter [98], 41, a documentary about Nicholas O'Neill, the youngest victim of the fire, was screened at Rhode Island theaters in 2008. "[63] He added that the difference in the brothers' sentences reflected their respective involvement with the purchase and installation of the flammable foam. And by then, the black smoke was pouring out over their heads. The Station Nightclub Fire: Revisiting the Lessons Michael owned a financial services business; Jeff was a local news reporter. [9] American Foam refuted the claims in Warner's fax. The Station nightclub fire: What happened, how many died, who was Produced by Betsy Shuller and Chris Young Ritzen. When King arrived, he saw the devastating scene. *One SAVE card issued per household that experiences 25% or greater damage to a primary residence. if he had done that, then he would have obviously have said to us . I don't know that I'll ever forgive myself for what happened that night, so I can't expect anybody else to. [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. [89] "I don't think I could ever sing that song again," said Russell. Linda Saran: That's when you make a decision. "[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. I've been after this bike for over 4 years and I finally got the call! Flames soon appeared on the walls on either side of the stage and spread quickly along the foam that lined the walls and ceiling, intended to dampen sound. The fire left her with burns over 40 percent of her body, it incinerated her hair. Patrick Lynch: First of all, I think it's pathetic, disgusting and unsettling to think that they're even speaking now The foam that they put up had a direct impact on the survivability of the bulk of the people that were assembled that night. It was late on Feb. 20, 2003, when the cold winter night erupted in flames. Jeff Derderian: They didn't even bring up the fax to him. Jack Russell declined "48 Hours"' request for an interview. Jody King says his brother enjoyed working for the Derderians. [2], Prior to the fire, the Station often hosted concerts by 1980s hard rock groups and tribute bands. They go for 15 seconds and they go 15 feet into the air. Within weeks, the National Fire Protection Association committee met to regulate code for "assembly occupancies." We have an exit through the kitchen. S01:E03 - Station Nightclub Fire. We haven't played it since then and probably never will. And he's like he don't know. The blaze began when the band Jack Russell's Great White took the stage and their tour manager set off four large fireworks. [4] No occupants were in the building during the 1972 fire, but the interior was significantly damaged. Survivors of the Station nightclub fire reflect on tragedy's 20th anniversary One hundred people were killed and many more injured when a pyrotechnic display caused a massive blaze in 2003.. Phil Barr: I loved it. [26] The Cowesett Inn restaurant across the street from the Station acted as an ad-hoc burn triage and command center for first responders. Michael Derderian: The field test is crystal clear. And that's when I noticed the black on my arms. The pyrotechnics ignited the walls on either side of the stage and within seconds flames spread along the foam that lined the walls and ceiling of the club intended to dampen sound. Phil Barr [teary-eyed]: Getting another opportunity to live my life came with enormous responsibility. 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. As we hold those impacted by this tragedy close in our hearts, we also remember the remarkable and courageous actions of first responders, public safety officials, medical professionals, and Rhode Islanders who sprang into action to save lives on that day and who worked to comfort their communities in the days and weeks following.. At least 64 others were also sued, including the state of Rhode Island citedforthe fire inspector's failure to report the flammable foam during multiple inspections. They were told to take it down. Lourdes Aguiar is the senior producer. 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. 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. (WATCH) The Station Nightclub Fire is Remembered in the Documentary It was that fast. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. [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]. [92], Russell left Great White in 2010. They are speaking out about the fire for the first time. I miss Tina a lot. 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. For years, he worked in Boston for Channel 7. At 55, he lives with his parents and keeps to himself. We took shortcuts. And I turned around, I said, "Get out, get out, get to the door, get to the door!" The Guest List: The Station Nightclub Fire, America's Deadliest Rock Concert will premiere on Sunday, February 20, 2022. The biggest question was, why had the fire spread so quickly? And it was ugly. 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. Within six minutes, the entire building was engulfed in flames. That effort raised about $10,000 over seven years to help pay for the construction of the memorial park. Michael Derderian: He's completely out of it. Absolutely not. 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. S01:E02 - Joplin Tornado. Jeff Derderian, seated right, says, "You know a day doesn't go by that we don't think about it in some way, shape or form.". The Station nightclub fire would become one of the deadliest fires in a club in U.S. history. I come down every year and play the [bagpipes], he told WCVB. My friends were dead, my other friends are severely injured, I no longer look like myself. Jim Axelrod: How do you know he went in nine times? Jody King kneels at his brother Tracy's memorial. In a statement, Rhode Island Gov. [78] The event raised at least $25,000 in donations for the Station Family Fund, and was broadcast in March by VH1 and VH1 Classic. Hundreds of people ran to the only exit many of them knew the way they came in. And he says you can. For people to know you can go there now and look at this beautiful park and talk to your person thats what I love about it.. Jim Axelrod: There are so many people still to this day angry that the case didn't go to trial. Linda Saran: Second- and-third-degree burns, over 34 percent of my body from the heat. When fireworks ignited the soundproofing foam on the stage wall, he ran for a fire extinguisher. Tracy died never giving up. It was there, she said, that she found the best therapists: others who had been in the fire. Barr was located between the stage and the front door. local Four nonstop. 48 Hours show makes no mention of Station nightclub's overcrowding So, I actually got a really good sense of the layout of the venue.". That happened in 2002. It took about five years to come to terms with that, she said. [76] The Rhode Island state fire code was changed after the fire to require every nightclub in the state with a capacity of over 150 people to have a sprinkler system installed.[3]. JEFF DERDERIAN [crying]: Many people didn't make it out and that is a horror that will haunt my family and I for the rest of our lives. Phil Barr: I went around the people trying to push to the front door. But 15 years later, she said, its time for her to move out of its shadow. And I was responsible for the day to day. I could have missed my daughter's high school graduation, the birth of her children. Sparks from the gerbs ignited the insulation foam, and flames were visible on the wall above the stage within nine seconds of their ignition. It is now mandatory for nightclubs with occupancy over 150 to have them. She sees telling the story of the Station fire as a way of preventing others from going through the same thing. [56], The sentence drew mixed reactions in the courtroom. [85] By April 2016, $1.65 million of the $2 million fundraising goal had been achieved and construction of the Station Fire Memorial Park had commenced. He was the. 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. [2], Prior to being converted into a nightclub and concert venue, the Station building had been used as a restaurant and tavern. [6], Great White, the headlining band of the February 20 concert, had risen to fame as part of the glam metal scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s. [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. "48 Hours" is not showing any of that footage. The Derderians bought the club as an investment. Phil Barr: I remember the smoke descended really quickly. And I sent it to her and the best compliment I ever got was oh, his hairs fantastic.. 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. [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.
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