[7][8] They were best known for their 1989 cover of Ian Hunter's "Once Bitten, Twice Shy", which reached the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100. SAN JOSE (BCN) - Three people were injured in a shooting that occurred Saturday morning at San Jose's Aura nightclub. These TIAs were subsequently incorporated into the 2006 edition of NFPA 101, along with additional exit requirements for new nightclub occupancies. That's when I turned back. This is the time to leave. Survivor Phil Barr arrived to The Station early the night of the concert. According to Bostonherald.com, a memorial fund that raises money for survivors of The Station nightclub fire received at least $25,000 in donations after a benefit concert aired on television, organizers said today.. Her fianc, Alfred Freddy Crisostomi, did not. As the crowd bottlenecked at the clubs entrance, thick black smoke poured out of the building and over their heads. Michael Derderian: I don't know about that. [60] As of 2013[update], Biechele lived in Florida with his wife and two children. 0:57. I couldn't get up. And that song reminds us of that night. Share. I cant do it for the rest of my life, she said. [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. And I took a good look and I said, "Oh, st, I'm burned.". Those at the nightclub had to act soon, as smoke was visible in the exit doorways in just over one minute. Tracy King worked at The Station as a bouncer. Inspection records showed that just three months before the fire, the Derderians had been cited by the local fire marshal for having a secondary, interior door by the stage that opened inward, which violated regulations. Jim Axelrod: And that's when the despair sinks in. [1] The building that would become The Station was built in 1946 and was originally used as a gin mill. And that's when I noticed the black on my arms. In a statement, Rhode Island Gov. According to author Scott James, Great White had reportedly used a large pyro display without permission at other clubs, including just days before the fire at a show in New Jersey. [21] The fire spread throughout the building and was completely engulfed within six minutes of the pyrotechnic ignition. Scott James has written a book about the tragedy called "Trial by Fire.". [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. [2] The final tally by The Providence Journal of people inside the Station during the fire totaled 462. Linda Saran: The night of the fire I got in for free. The story of three survivors that were trapped when the massive Cypress Street viaduct collapsed. The four exits inside The Station: "There's an exit near the stage an exit through the kitchen. Brandon Fravale, a survivor of The Station nightclub fire, speaks with NBC 10 on how he copes with survivor's guilt. He still remembers that deadly night. Also there that night was Bates College student Phil Barr, who was home for winter break. 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. But I made a choice. ", Scott James: They had their moments. 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. Everybody just kind of turned. And I fell down the stairs, out that door. Jim Axelrod: Did the contract specify the use of pyrotechnics? 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. it was also on fire. Jeff Derderian: There's so many things that factor into the decision to do that. Scott James: It smelled like spilled beer and stale cigarettes and everything was just a little bit frayed at the edge. 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. Tracy died never giving up. Patrick Lynch: Jeffrey and Michael Derderian. [104] It was last introduced in the House in 2015 by then-U.S. Reps. James Langevin of Rhode Island and Tom Reed of New York.[104]. I refused to accept that as the outcome. The Derderians have always maintained that they never gave the band permission to use pyrotechnics. 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. The second was the time from that night until the dedication of the memorial last spring. Phil Barr: We kind of crouched down behind some of the people in front of us. S01:E01 - San Francisco Freeway Collapse. ", "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? [93] In the years following the fire, Great White split into two separate groups, one led by Russell and the other by Kendall. The blaze began when the band Jack Russell's Great White took the stage and their tour manager set off four large fireworks. He got a tire iron from his car, smashed the glass, and started pulling people out. [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. She paused, her eyes tearing. Petrarca was sitting near the bar that night in 2003, about five feet from a door, when the fire broke out. So, I actually got a really good sense of the layout of the venue.". Club owners Jeffrey and Michael Derderian reached a settlement of $813,000 with survivors and victims' families in September 2008. 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 fire seemed to burn quickly, she added. [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. They were friends. [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]. I couldn't hear noise. [89] "I don't think I could ever sing that song again," said Russell. "[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. Biechele was released from prison on March 19, 2008. 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. Editor's Note: This story was originally published on Monday, Feb. 19, 2018. Last year, he was charged with striking a woman for whom he was a caretaker. DANIEL BIECHELE [at sentencing hearing in tears]: I don't know that I will ever forgive myself for what happened that night. "48 Hours" is not showing any of that footage. Phil Barr: Yep. 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? The result is poignant footage contrasting very different life stories. The tragedy, she said, heightened her appreciation of the life she was allowed, for whatever reason, to continue. You were not approaching that area at all. "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. 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. How did you meet him? Flames can be seen on the back wall. Jody King says his brother enjoyed working for the Derderians. I could have missed that My friends that didn't survive that night have missed that. Phil Barr: and I felt the door and I just heaved my shoulder into it. He doesn't know. However, fire professionals have few choices about what training should be provided and training programs are continually updated to incorporate new technologies as well as lessons learned from actual fire experiences. That happened in 2001. [12] Kendall, who had co-founded the band with Russell in 1977, had rejoined Russell's version of the group in 2002. Investigators eventually discovered the fax was sent by Barry Warner, a former employee at American Foam the company that had sent the Derderians the packing foam made of flammable polyurethane. [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. [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]. S01:E03 - Station Nightclub Fire. After the fire, multiple civil and criminal cases were filed. Michael Derderian: We say that they we're sorry for all of it. And yet, at the point in time, I don't think I knew his name. JACK RUSSELL [news interview]: Rock and Roll is supposed to be fun, not deadly you know. Since The Station fire, many states have adopted stricter fire prevention codes. I look at my scars every day. 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. 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. You take one square inch of the foam, you hold it up with a roach clip and light it on fire with a wooden match. That was in like the 80s. Today, we mourn the 100 lives lost in the Station nightclub fire and the hundreds more whose lives will never be the same. Jeff Derderian: We tried to get as far as we could. [37] The report had been inspired by the E2 nightclub stampede in Chicago that killed 21 people three days earlier. The Derderians say that in the three years they owned the club, no one ever questioned the safety of the foam and say the club was inspected by their insurance company, and multiple times by the local Fire Marshal Denis Laroque. We haven't played it since then and probably never will. Jody King: I'm so proud to say he's my brother. In the aftermath, West Warwick, Rhode Island TV news reporter Jeff Derderian wanted to run a story on nightclub safety. [17][16], The concert was emceed by Michael Gonsalves, a disk jockey for Providence rock radio station WHJY who was also known as "Doctor Metal". Scott James: I decided I would start asking some questions. "48 Hours" has confirmed the fax wasnotpresented to the grand jury. Dan McKee stopped by the memorial on the 20th anniversary of the fire Monday. Legal action against several parties, including Great White, were resolved with monetary settlements by 2008. It fuels you. But then the door would go back up when it was going to be a loud night. The charge is pending. 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. Jeff Derderian: None of the inspections and then follow-up inspections. The pyrotechnics were gerbs, cylindrical devices that produce a controlled spray of sparks. The fire began as rock band Great White played to the crowd. [86][87] The memorial dedication ceremony took place on May 21, 2017. [9] In 2008, American Foam agreed to pay $6.3 million to the families of the victims of the fire. 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. But instead, I chose to run like a common coward.. 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.". [104] The legislation would create a tax incentive for property owners to install fire sprinkler systems. 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: I remember we were trying to get people away from the building. The fire left her with burns over 40 percent of her body, it incinerated her hair. Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch opened an investigation and convened a grand jury to determine if anyone should face criminal charges. This is the main bar where you can get your drinks. [49] In 2013, Kendall told The Providence Journal that he maintained amicable contact with some survivors, victims' families, and the Station Fire Memorial Foundation. [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. Patrick Lynch: I can't remember, honestly. I ran across the room and I ran face-first into the wall. MICHAEL DERDERIAN: I plead not guilty, your honor. Jim Axelrod: Did either of you know anything about running a nightclub? On Feb. 20, 2003, 100 people were killed and more than 200 others were injured in a fire at the Station nightclub in West Warwick. But Saturday night, as . Phil Barr [teary-eyed]: Getting another opportunity to live my life came with enormous responsibility. [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. Its just one of those things thats ingrained in you.. [13], In February 2003, Great White was on an eighteen date concert tour, and they had been using a pyrotechnic display during their performances that some club owners had denied them permission to use, citing safety concerns. [100], Gonsalves was inducted into the Rhode Island Radio and Television Hall of Fame in 2013. Linda Saran: When I first went out the window, I landed on the stairs. That effort raised about $10,000 over seven years to help pay for the construction of the memorial park. [2] The three were each charged with 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter with criminal negligence and 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter in violation of a misdemeanor. Their story starts three years before the fire. 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. Jody King: He trusted the club. Even if he couldnt. Flames were seen breaking through a part of the roof in less than five minutes. 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. CBS Boston Rhode Island Gov. It was really everything to me at that time. (crying) So I can't expect anybody else to. True to his words, Barr fought to breathe on his own. You walk on the property, and it doesnt feel tragic anymore. 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. At the time of the fire, he had just started a new job closer to home in Providence at the local CBS station. [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. During a concert by the rock band Great White, a pyrotechnic display ignited flammable acoustic foam in the walls and ceilings surrounding the stage. [32] In April 2003, The Derderians were fined $1.07 million for failing to carry workers' compensation insurance for their employees. They promoted the event. 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. He had failed to get a license for the pyrotechnics from the State of Rhode Island and permits from the local fire department. MICHAEL DERDERIAN [at sentencing hearing]: There is so much pain and heartache that happened on our doorstep. [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. At the time of The Station fire, older clubs in Rhode Island weren't required to install sprinklers. And outside I went. Dont take life for granted and I miss her every day She was my world and now shes my angel.. Am I going to sit here and cry about this? I said to myself, we gotta go. fine against Station Nightclub owners upheld", "Station nightclub fire survivor tells how she's moved on in new book", "The Station fire took emotional toll on survivors, study finds", "Tentative $30 million deal in R. I. nightclub fire", "TV station that assigned reporter to cover his own nightclub raises ethical issue", "Station Video Spurs Lawsuit - Pollstar News", "Nightclub owner resigns from WPRI television", "Report of the Technical Investigation of The Station Nightclub Fire: Appendices (NIST NCSTAR 2), Volume 2", "Grand Jury Convened to Probe Deadly R.I. 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. Phil Barr: A lot of people moved back towards the main entrance it became really clear that we were not going to be able [to] get out the front door. More than 460 fans had crowded into the wooden, single-story, 4,480 -square-foot nightclub known as The Station in West Warwick, R.I., to enjoy a Thursday night show on Feb. 20, 2003.