That's when I turned back. 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. He got a tire iron from his car, smashed the glass, and started pulling people out. Like Barr, Linda Saran had also spent three weeks in a medically induced coma. Everybody just kind of turned. [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. It had to be two minutes tops before the whole place was black smoke. WEST WARWICK, R.I. -- Five years . The fire left her with burns over 40 percent of her body, it incinerated her hair. View Image Gallery. Patrick Lynch: I can't remember, honestly. [9], The foam was sold to the Derderians by American Foam. [28], Of the 462 people in the building for the concert, 100 were killed, 230 were injured, and 132 escaped uninjured. Both the brothers had other jobs. The third started that day. Nine friends didnt. [89] "I don't think I could ever sing that song again," said Russell. He said if there's. Patrick Lynch: You're telling me it wasn't, and I don't know that it wasn't. As numerous violations of existing codes contributed to the severity of the fire, there was immediate effort to strengthen fire code protections. [24] Hundreds of firefighters responded to the fire, including every available West Warwick firefighter. Michael Derderian: Jeffrey was responsible for all the marketing activities. But it's fun. [32] In April 2003, The Derderians were fined $1.07 million for failing to carry workers' compensation insurance for their employees. 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. Phil Barr: I loved it. 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. [58], On September 19, 2007, the Rhode Island Parole Board announced that Biechele would be released in March 2008. Also there that night was Bates College student Phil Barr, who was home for winter break. The Guest List is a strikingly visual film. 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.. [4] No occupants were in the building during the 1972 fire, but the interior was significantly damaged. As Great White started their first song, their tour manager Daniel Biechele set off four large fireworks called gerbs. I never thought it would get so bad., He told bartender Julie Mellini that they had to leave, and she and several patrons followed Vanner out the kitchen door. Today, we mourn the 100 lives lost in the Station nightclub fire and the hundreds more whose lives will never be the same. American Foam said Warner's claims about the company are false. Joe Kinan was badly burned in the deadly Station Nightclub fire in Rhode Island that left 100 dead and 230 injured in February 2003 . In the end, the survivors and victims' families settled for a total of $176 million. It looked like it was raining black fire. Access remains open to the public, and memorial services are held each February 20. 9. He still remembers that deadly night. Phil Barr: I remember the smoke descended really quickly. In the days after the fire, victims' families and survivors faced a harsh new reality. They said a critical piece of evidence was never presented to the grand jury. It would have been my legacy, Vanner said. [94] Russell's group made its first New England appearance in twelve years at a harvest festival in Mechanic Falls, Maine, in August 2015. And, according to the brothers, it was one of the first exits used when the fire started. America's Deadliest Rock Concert: The Guest List explores the Station nightclub fire through gripping survivor accounts and family members and friends of victims who have memorialized their loss through pursuits ranging from an exhibit of commemorative body art to re-immersion in the rock culture that initially brought them and their loved ones Since I had been there earlier in the night, I knew that there was at least an exit in the back barroom. [12] The rest of the lineup included guitarist Ty Longley, who died in the fire, bass guitarist Dave Felice, and drummer Eric Powers. I had no control over my muscles. In the aftermath, Vanner battled an addiction to crack cocaine and alcohol, which he used to cope but which cost him jobs and his drivers license. Jim Axelrod: When you come to, you're in a hospital room. These days, she uses her job as a teacher at John F. Deering Middle School to make it so those who didnt suffer so directly will remember it too. Linda Saran: The foam was raining down and the flames are dripping from the ceiling. Today Phil Barr is married and a father of two little girls. This article was originally published on Oct. 22, 2021. And so, when the fire inspector came in and said that that door had to come down the door, the door did come down. He don't know. [57], On September 4, 2007, some families of the fire's victims expressed their support for Biechele's parole. 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. 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. For the Derderians, the "full story" begins with the issue of permission. 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. JACK RUSSELL [news interview]: We never do anything without asking permission first. In an exclusive interview with "48 Hours" contributor Jim Axelrod, the Derderians said they wanted to set the record straight and reveal new information about that foam and accountability. Marc Goldbaum is the development producer. Her father wont visit the memorial, and it took her years to be able to drive down Cowesett Avenue, she said. His fiance, Tina Ayer, died at 33 in the fire, CBS Boston reported. Scott James: The fire alarm you hear it kick in. And I sent it to her and the best compliment I ever got was oh, his hairs fantastic.. Share. Linda Saran and Phil Barr, badly injured, were transported to a local hospital. I couldn't hear screaming anymore. I have to find him. Patrick Lynch: They are running the operation. I don't know that I'll ever forgive myself for what happened that night, so I can't expect anybody else to. He had an unlikely friend rooting for him. [49] In 2013, Kendall told The Providence Journal that he maintained amicable contact with some survivors, victims' families, and the Station Fire Memorial Foundation. Jody King: Hopped out of bed, grabbed my clothes, grabbed my keys, hopped in the car and took off. 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. Jim Axelrod: Mr. Warner's fax wasn't presented to the grand jury, correct? [2], The first criminal trial was against Great White's tour manager, Daniel Michael Biechele, 26, from Orlando, Florida. To the families of those who died on that devastating day: Rhode Island will never forget your loved ones and we will always stand by you, McKee said in the statement. Follow Boston.com on Instagram (Opens in a New Tab), Follow Boston.com on Twitter (Opens in a New Tab), Like Boston.com on Facebook (Opens in a New Tab), R.I. State House homeless encampment removed after legal fight, After the 80th anniversary of the tragic fire, a Cocoanut Grove memorial is coming to Boston, This affordable airline says it will bring at least 20 routes to an R.I. airport. How he went from being a man with a job he loved and friends, to someone struggling with sobriety and guilt, suffering flashbacks at fire alarms and smoke-like fog. I couldn't get up. 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. 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]. Michael Derderian: No. I never imagined that anyone ever would be. Jim Axelrod: Were you a fan of the band Great White? Last year, he was charged with striking a woman for whom he was a caretaker. Michael Derderian: We do understand that anger and that's that's why we're here with you. [2] The club was cited for nine minor code violations during the first inspection in November 2002, but was not cited for the flammable polyurethane foam the venue used for soundproofing, which was against code. She endured more than 50 operations. [103], Inspired by the fire, the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act has been proposed United States Senate and House of Representatives since 2003. I never wanted anyone to be hurt in any way. To the right is this much larger space in front of a stage. Scott James: It smelled like spilled beer and stale cigarettes and everything was just a little bit frayed at the edge. A true hero would have gone for it, Vanner said. Jim Axelrod: If the brothers are relying on the fire marshal to tell them whether or not they can continue to do business. But she refuses to live in the past. S01:E03 - Station Nightclub Fire. So, the only way to pick up a can of soda would be to do this [lifting both arms out parallel in front of her]. In February 2008, Providence television station. [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. 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. Things that bring back memories of that night we try to stay away from. But their plans for the future would suddenly change. 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. It was like what? I said to myself, we gotta go. "[5], Many of the survivors of the fire developed post-traumatic stress disorder after the event. [84] In September 2012, the owner of the land, Ray Villanova, donated the site to the SFMF. The loss is still fresh for her cousins, she said, even 15 years later. [2], In the months prior to the fire, the building had been inspected twice by West Warwick fire marshal Denis Larocque. This is solid gasoline. I could have missed that My friends that didn't survive that night have missed that. At first, there was no panic. People say they just feel peaceful, Russo told the Globe. Michael Derderian: He's completely out of it. Michael and Jeff Derderian pleaded no contest to 100 counts of misdemeanor manslaughter and agreed to a deal. He was granted parole and then released after 22 months. And a quarter of those people didn't get to go home ever," says survivor Linda Saran, who was severely burned in the fire at The Station nightclub. Christina Pimentel wasnt at the Station 15 years ago but she remembers the fire that killed 100 people because one of them was her uncle, Carlos Pimentel Sr. He tells her he wishes that hed tried to extinguish the fire. He had failed to get a license for the pyrotechnics from the State of Rhode Island and permits from the local fire department. And people stood and watched it, and some people backed off. Russell 's bandmate Ty Longley (guitar) was one of the people who perished in The Station blaze, which became the fourth deadliest fire in U.S. history. And that's when it starts to hit you all that you've lost. [48] Some victims' families criticized the 48 Hours segment and the Derderians' involvement. [2] The final tally by The Providence Journal of people inside the Station during the fire totaled 462. [93] In the years following the fire, Great White split into two separate groups, one led by Russell and the other by Kendall. Phil Barr: Yep. 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. But even more than walking, Phil wanted to return to swimming. Jody King: "Anybody see Tracy?" In the stampede, 21 people were killed. [100], Gonsalves was inducted into the Rhode Island Radio and Television Hall of Fame in 2013. 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. I could have missed my daughter's high school graduation, the birth of her children. If they stood up and said, small business owners, we were inexperienced. [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. However, on September 21, 2006, Judge Darigan announced that the brothers had changed their pleas from "not guilty" to "no contest," thereby avoiding a trial. Almost immediately the finger pointing started. This trial was scheduled to start May 1, 2006, but Biechele, against his lawyers' advice,[52] pleaded guilty to 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter on February 7, 2006, in what he said was an effort to "bring peace, I want this to be over with."[52].