It was that fast. "Why me?" 20 years later, Station nightclub fire survivors talk guilt Produced by Betsy Shuller and Chris Young Ritzen. Jeff Derderian: That door was opened immediately and that's where the band went out. [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. But never once do they say, "we screwed up." "[55] Biechele was released in March 2008. [4] No occupants were in the building during the 1972 fire, but the interior was significantly damaged. The four exits inside The Station: "There's an exit near the stage an exit through the kitchen. They said a critical piece of evidence was never presented to the grand jury. That evening she had a girl's night out with a friend while her young daughter was at a sleepover. It fuels you. [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. The TIAs also required additional crowd manager personnel, among other things. Jim Axelrod is the chief investigative correspondent and senior national correspondent for CBS News, reporting for "CBS This Morning," "CBS Evening News," "CBS Sunday Morning" and other CBS News broadcasts. NFPA on LinkedIn: Station Nightclub Fire Survivor Returns to the Scene [18][19] Gonsalves was the host of the WHJY program The Metal Zone, at the time the longest-running heavy metal radio program in the United States. We took shortcuts. "[58], Dave Kane and Joanne O'Neill, parents of youngest victim Nicholas O'Neill, released their letter to the board to reporters. I remember getting pushed from behind. The Foam.". I miss Tina a lot. [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. In my head, I didnt even belong with them because I walked out without a scratch.. As the crowd bottlenecked at the clubs entrance, thick black smoke poured out of the building and over their heads. Scott James: It smelled like spilled beer and stale cigarettes and everything was just a little bit frayed at the edge. Vanner doesnt know when the night will be over. It seems like yesterday We were going to get married in June and she passed away in February, Cain told CBS. His work was instrumental in amassing 176 million dollars in settlements from persons and corporations responsible for the fire. Michael Derderian: Correct. And why wasn't the foam company charged? Jim Axelrod: I want to ask you about Phil Barr. [28], Of the 462 people in the building for the concert, 100 were killed, 230 were injured, and 132 escaped uninjured. They all say I never would have stopped it, and I probably wouldnt have. It just so happens that we're . Its just one of those things thats ingrained in you.. The February 25 concert at the Dunkin' Donuts Center was broadcast Sunday night on VH1 and VH1 Classic. 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. [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. [9] In 2008, American Foam agreed to pay $6.3 million to the families of the victims of the fire. That is the furthest exit away from the stage But it's a relatively straight line. I couldn't hear screaming anymore. He trusted the owners. They all came so every single one of those hundred students held up a white rose and they represented one of the 100 [who died]. 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? Eighteen years later, there is no consensus among survivors when it comes to blame. [84] In September 2012, the owner of the land, Ray Villanova, donated the site to the SFMF. [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. WEST WARWICK, R.I. The Station nightclub fire, where 100 people died and hundreds more were hurt, will never be forgotten by those who were there or lost loved ones that February night.. And if we could change it, we would. 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. [76] Another memorial was later that night the West Warwick Civic Center. Unlike many of the patrons there, this was Barr's first time at the club. Jim Axelrod: Did the contract specify the use of pyrotechnics? [81] In August 2016, the site was reported to have been being used as a PokeStop in Pokmon Go, to uproar from victims' families. DANIEL BIECHELE [at sentencing hearing in tears]: I don't know that I will ever forgive myself for what happened that night. Scott James: They only have about 60 seconds to get out of the building if they're going to live. 'We've been trying to move forward': Station nightclub fire survivor on So, before I knew it, this finger was contractured down in this position and the rest of them were all bent backwards because the skin had tightened up.". And it was ugly. 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. 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. Great White's tour manager Daniel Biechele also faced the same charges. And by then, the black smoke was pouring out over their heads. He don't know. And then, ever so slowly, he learned to walk again. Obviously the nightclub was not in compliance, and there never should have been pyrotechnics, but there's no evidence the bouncers blocked people from . He was worried about his brother Tracy who worked there as a bouncer. I had the fire extinguisher in my hand, Vanner said. Station fire, 15 years later: Survivors tell their stories Linda Saran: I could have missed it all. I know how this tragedy has devastated me, but I can only begin to understand what the people who lost loved ones have endured. It had to be two minutes tops before the whole place was black smoke. She paused, her eyes tearing. 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. 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. [90] The band initially retired "Desert Moon", the song they were performing when the fire began, from their concert set list. Multiple injured after shooting at San Jose nightclub | KRON4 A true hero would have gone for it, Vanner said. [21] Thick smoke began to fill the station one minute after the ignition and the crowd began to escape the building. Station Nightclub Tragedy Revisited Five Years Later | Firehouse Well, I guess once we all started to turn toward the door, and we got bottle-necked into the front door, people just kept pushing, and eventually everyone popped out of the door, including myself. And I sent it to her and the best compliment I ever got was oh, his hairs fantastic.. 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.. The Derderians say that in the three years they owned the club, no one ever questioned the safety of the foam. [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. Linda Saran: When I first went out the window, I landed on the stairs. That happened in 2002. In 2003, 100 people died and over 200 were injured at a rock concert in West Warwick, Rhode Island. Saran was one of the more than 200 who were seriously hurt in the fire. Biechele pleaded guilty to 100 counts of misdemeanor manslaughter and was sentenced to four years in prison. Cold air washing over me. Like you feel that kinship that, you know, "God, I really hope this guy makes it." [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 flanking gerbs became the principal cause of the fire. [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. Station Fire Memorial Park, a permanent memorial to the victims of the fire, was opened in May 2017 at the site where the Station once stood. "We went out on a Thursday night to listen to music, drink some beers and have a good time. The morning after the fire, the lead singer of Great White, Jack Russell, claimed the brothers had given the band permission to set off the fireworks. Michael Derderian: We say that they we're sorry for all of it. Her father has seven brothers, Pimentel said, and she was especially close to Carlos. I never wanted anyone to be hurt in any way. Linda Saran: My hospital roommate, he and I took turns driving the respiratory therapist crazy in some ways it's almost like being in war together. According to Lynch, under Rhode Island law, the fire marshal could not be criminally charged unless there was evidence of bad faith or malice. [49] The tour started five months after the fire, and each concert began with a prayer for survivors and families. Linda Saran: It's like a riptide. Jim Axelrod: When the foam came, was there anything on the packaging that indicated that it was highly flammable? [24] The first West Warwick fire engine arrived at the scene at 11:13 p.m., followed by three other trucks shortly thereafter. my dad was in the room. The Derderians have always maintained that they never gave the band permission to use pyrotechnics. My friends were dead, my other friends are severely injured, I no longer look like myself. VIEW ALL PHOTOS. Since I had been there earlier in the night, I knew that there was at least an exit in the back barroom. Tweet. An off-duty police officer standing outside had heard her kicking at the window. The loss is still fresh for her cousins, she said, even 15 years later. We haven't played it since then and probably never will. Barr, who was in his junior year, had dreams of a career on Wall Street and swam competitively for his college swim team. Phil Barr: Yep. Jim Axelrod: And that's when the despair sinks in. Survivors of nightclub fire that killed 100 share stories - FireRescue1 And people just stood there. What kind of club was this? JACK RUSSELL [news interview]: Rock and Roll is supposed to be fun, not deadly you know. Phil Barr: You know just have a beer, see a concert. 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. The Station nightclub fire: What happened, how many died, who was And that's when it starts to hit you all that you've lost. Nine friends didnt. View Image Gallery. It couldnt continue another 10, 15 years, it couldnt. Jeffrey Derderian received 500 hours of community service. Phil Barr: I went around the people trying to push to the front door. "[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. To the right is this much larger space in front of a stage. He don't know. Jody King: Nine different families have come up to me and said "thank you for having a great brother.
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