Jim Axelrod: And then it just got engulfed in flames? Phil Barr awoke after three weeks in a medically induced coma and was told his lungs had been badly damaged. It's not just about hitting the next goal but doing something really meaningful. The fight happened at the Spring Fling in Spartanburg. And so, when the fire inspector came in and said that that door had to come down the door, the door did come down. Jeff Derderian: We tried to get as far as we could. The Station Nightclub fire victim count grew to 100. 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. Jody King kneels at his brother Tracy's memorial. The Station nightclub fire would become one of the deadliest fires in a club in U.S. history. Jody King: "Anybody see Tracy?" Katie was with her friend Bridget Sanetti. Michael Derderian: Take this stuff down. The cameraman managed to escape. Jim Axelrod: Do you feel, "Oh my goodness, we're in trouble?". Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. And I hear [moves her arms to the side with a whoosh] and out Deb went. And he says you can. Dan Biechele committed a misdemeanor that night without any way of knowing the stage had been set for what the Attorney General is calling the perfect storm. . Those who were trapped inside The Station when the flames started knew they needed to get out fast. some bleeding I could notice in my throat. But their plans for the future would suddenly change. Phil Barr: We kind of crouched down behind some of the people in front of us. The fire spread quickly . station nightclub 26,447 Station Fire Premium High Res Photos Browse 26,447 station fire photos and images available, or search for station nightclub fire or station nightclub to find more great photos and pictures. But does that mean it's not a crime? I look at my scars every day. Survivor Russo experienced sympathy for Biechele whom she called broken but noted that, although he was anguished, any sympathy survivors had was tempered by our own pain. Her fianc, Alfred Crisostomi, had died in the fire and she had suffered burns over 40% of her body. He arrived early around 8:30 p.m. Phil Barr: There really weren't that many people around early in the night. Copyright 2023 Phil Barr: I don't like to talk about it, but I remember feeling weight on top of me, and I'm pretty sure I crawled out from under another person to pull myself up. Michael Derderian also spoke via phone to an investigator. Jeff Derderian: That door was opened immediately and that's where the band went out. The Derderians assured Warner of their hope that he would not be disturbed. Scott James: They are what they call 15x15. Since The Station fire, many states have adopted stricter fire prevention codes. A fire that swept through a crowded nightclub in southern Brazil early Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013, and killed more than 230 people appears to be the deadliest in more a decade. Select the option or tab named Internet Options (Internet Explorer), Options (Firefox), Preferences (Safari) or Settings (Chrome). If they stood up and said, small business owners, we were inexperienced. As survivor Gina Russo and writer Paul Londardo reported in From the Ashes, the first theory was criminal negligence manslaughter, which results when the accused ignores the bodily risk to others and death results. How is it our responsibility if they gave us the wrong foam?". We screwed up." Jim Axelrod: How do you know he went in nine times? . (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer). So, I actually got a really good sense of the layout of the venue.". About a month after the fire Barr went home from the hospital. 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. The fire alarms ring, flames burst all over the stage and thick black smoke pollutes the air. Michael received a harsher sentence than Jeff due to a greater involvement in the buying and installation of the foam. I never wanted anyone to be hurt in any way. - station nightclub fire stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images. "We have 39 confirmed fatalities, and we are still in the process of searching the rubble. Michael Derderian: No. The Station Nightclub Fire: Who's Responsible? Shrieks filled the air as people raced to leave the inferno. Flames can be seen on the back wall. Phil Barr: I asked my pulmonologist, you know, "when can I get back in the pool?" Photos and memories from that horrible day. The Station Nightclub Fire She said she spent years after that in pain and anger. Fight causes chaos at Spring Fling, police say 100 people perished. The first was her life before Feb. 20, 2003. And that's when the crowd realizes this is a real danger and we have to get out of here. The part at the end where the guy runs out on fire is harsh to watch. Great White's tour manager Daniel Biechele also faced the same charges. My friends were dead, my other friends are severely injured, I no longer look like myself. The brothers, however, find that hard to believe considering the foam covered the walls, ceiling and even the inward swinging door he cited as a violation. ", "Things that bother people you sit there and you shake your head and you go, if this is the worst thing that happens to me today, this month, this year, this decade, I mean, at that point it's one of those things. Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. 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.". See more ideas about trenton, old photos, local history. Do Not Sell My Personal Information, If you need further help setting your homepage, check your browsers Help menu, Chief shares details about Calif. firefighters' strip club scandal, I cant breathe: Patient dies after 5 Calif. FF-medics violate policy, Fla. FF files complaint over photo of chief with 'Hitler-style mustache' giving Nazi salute on duty, Video: 6 DCFEMS members placed on leave after physical fight on scene, Open the tools menu in your browser. The Station Nightclub Fire: Who's Responsible? - CBS News And why wasn't the foam company charged? The Station nightclub fire killed 100 people and injured hundreds more on February 20, 2003. he was very kind about it, but he said, "I don't ever see you competitively swimming again." Almost immediately the finger pointing started. The second, misdemeanor manslaughter, results from a lesser crime in which death results., Against the advice of his lawyers, Biechele entered into a plea agreement by which he pled guilty to 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter on February 7, 2006. The photo was taken just moments prior to his death. So that was huge.". Linda Saran and her friend Deb were in the atrium, huddled together under a table. '", 15 years after the deadly Station Nightclub fire https://t.co/ApQgkrkI7A pic.twitter.com/tytNEKAX5F. 2023 Getty Images. Within seconds, sheets of flame raced up the wall. and I just kind of went down on my face. Jeffs community service was appropriate. Her father has seven brothers, Pimentel said, and she was especially close to Carlos. Some tried to leave through the stage exit only to be confronted by bulky bouncers blocking their way, intoning, Band exit only.. DANIEL BIECHELE [at sentencing hearing in tears]: I don't know that I will ever forgive myself for what happened that night. Biechele pleaded guilty to 100 counts of misdemeanor manslaughter and was sentenced to four years in prison. Firefighters carry the body of a fire victim from the charred wreckage of The Station nightclub in West Warwick, R.I., Friday, Feb. 21, 2003. Today Phil Barr is married and a father of two little girls. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. But I should have at least tried.". Robin Petrarca of Warwick, R.I., right, is embraced by her friend Jessica Studley of West Greenwich, R.I., at the scene of a fatal nightclub fire, Friday, Feb. 21, 2003, in West Warwick, R.I. But that night, leading the cameraman around was bouncer Tracy King, a dedicated husband and father of three young boys. The roof was caving in, walls were caving in, body after body in front of me. "In my head, I didn't even belong with them because I walked out without a scratch.". Vanner has no excuses. Great White lead singer Russell and manager Biechele asserted they had the Derderians permission. The Station nightclub fire (w/ Pre-fire footage) - YouTube Pre-9/11 Photos Of 9/11 Victims Taken Inside The World Trade Center Offices And On Ground . He wasn't charged with a crime, but his thoughts punish him. In this Feb. 20, 2003 file photo, firefighters spray water on to the charred remains of the nightclub, The Station located in West Warwick, R.I., Thursday, Feb. 20, 2003. I couldn't hear noise. 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. there was nothing that would make it so you couldn't get out of it. Jody King: I see the horror. Doomed fans stuck in the doorway of The Station nightclub fire in West Warwick, RI. That was in like the 80s. Just seconds after 80s sensation Great White took the stage, pyrotechnics ignited a fire that . On December 4, 2003 a grand jury voted 200 indictments against Biechele and both Derderians. I don't even like to talk about it. Out of it. That exit door would soon be engulfed in flames. As it turns out, the foam they used was highly flammable. The biggest question was, why had the fire spread so quickly? MICHAEL DERDERIAN [at sentencing hearing]: There is so much pain and heartache that happened on our doorstep. Survivors and friends of survivors active in the effort to turn the nightclub site in West Warwick into a memorial park recount the emotional journeys that brought them from 2003 to 2018. 100 people were killed. 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]. Find the right content for your market. When Laroque testified before the grand jury he claimed he never saw the foam. That night, he allowed a cameraman to shoot footage inside the club for an upcoming story about safety in public venues. Property owner Ray Villanova formally donated it to the Station Fire Memorial Foundation on September 28, 2012. "48 Hours" contributor Jim Axelrod reports. Also outside was club owner Jeff Derderian. A deadly . 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. 10. It had to end, for me and it ended in the most beautiful way.". By now even the slowest people to react are in a frenzied state of panic. 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. Three days after the station fire, Jody King finally got the news that his brother Tracy's body had been found. Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. But when Warner was called before the grand jury, he was not asked about the allegations he made in the fax. 444 The Station Nightclub Fire Premium High Res Photos This. Jim Axelrod: I want to ask you about Phil Barr. Some accepted the letters and others refused them. [tears up, shaking his head]. "It's hard to describe the level of agony. Fifteen years from now, she hopes, her students will go by the park, and have a memory, a connection, with the 100 people whose names and faces are etched into black granite squares arrayed throughout the park. Im so sorry.. But he didn't know what. Biechele pleaded guilty to 100 counts of misdemeanor manslaughter, and Michael and Jeff Derderian pleaded no contest. The tour manager for the rock band Great White pleaded guilty to 100 counts of misdemeanor manslaughter and was sentenced to four years in prison. But never once do they say, "we screwed up." Now in private practice, Lynch says he looked into a host of people. She said she went into the club that night a naive, fun-loving 27-year-old and came out angry and feeling guilty. "It's hard to describe the level of agony. He got a tire iron from his car, smashed the glass, and started pulling people out. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Jim Axelrod: To people who feel that the two of you have never said we own this what do you say? Unlike many of the patrons there, this was Barr's first time at the club. Patrick Lynch: The type of foam was equal to gallons of gasoline. In fact, they did the opposite.". Phil Barr: I couldn't hear alarms. Kat Teurfs is the associate producer. He tells her he wishes that he'd tried to extinguish the fire. 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. Even if he couldn't. We couldn't make it. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. A band that was performing that night used pyrotechnics that ignited polyurethane foam insulation lining the walls and ceiling of the stage platform. Michael Derderian: But that door became impassable almost within seconds because clearly there's foam that's burning at 800 or 1,500 degrees. The Avalanche championship dynasty crumbles less than a year after hoisting the Stanley Cup. Privacy Policy. A regional command center was built in our state along . Linda Saran: I think a lot of people miss out on the moments. Michael Derderian: Jeffrey was responsible for all the marketing activities. Phil Barr: Being a survivor of The Station nightclub fire is a piece of who I am. In May 2000, the Derderians had paid a visit to Barry Warner, who lived close to The Station and had repeatedly complained about its noise under previous owners. And I fell down the stairs, out that door. MICHAEL DERDERIAN: I plead not guilty, your honor. But for anyone who was in The Station nightclub on Feb. 20, 2003, she said, a night out triggers an awareness. Jim Axelrod: The fire spread so quickly because rather than fire-retardant sound foam, on the wall of the club was highly flammable packing foam. The brothers have always maintained that they never gave the band permission to use pyrotechnics. But 15 years later, she said, it's time for her to move out of its shadow. And Paul Vanner didn't like what he saw. "I literally baked alive," says Linda Barr. " The Station Fire Memorial Foundation website states that the memorial will be a celebration of the lives of the 100 lost directly as a result of the fire.. Robin Petrarca was in New York City three weeks ago, looking for some laughs in a comedy club. Judge Darigan asked Biechele if he wanted to say anything before the court passed sentence. The Station nightclub fire: What happened and who's to blame for The one-story building burned to the ground in about three minutes. Linda Saran: It's like a riptide. Am I going to sit here and cry about this? While jailed, Biechele penned 100 handwritten apologies to victims families. Jury selection begins Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2006, for a trial that could last several months. Chad Daybell's kids claim he was "fooled in worst, most deadly way possible", Frances Hall case: Texas love triangle turns deadly, Unlikely clue helps bring young mom's killer to justice. I never thought it would get so bad. I never imagined that anyone ever would be. Phil Barr: It was getting harder and harder to breathe I could feel tightness and constriction in my chest. Linda Saran: The bar got quiet because people were dying literally and all you could hear was the roar of the fire and liquor bottles exploding. And while they weren't charged in the criminal case, survivors and victims' families sued them in civil court for not warning the Derderians the foam they sent them was flammable. 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. . The Station nightclub owners Michael, left, and Jeffrey Derderian, right, pleaded no contest to 100 counts of misdemeanor manslaughter and agreed to a deal. Scan this QR code to download the app now. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. And settled for $1 million. Judy Tygard is the executive producer. then as it heals, the scarring tightens up. As Great White started their first song, their tour manager Daniel Biechele set off four large fireworks called gerbs. For more information, please see our Survivor Phil Barr arrived to The Station early the night of the concert. Michael owned a financial services business; Jeff was a local news reporter. "48 Hours" has confirmed the fax wasnotpresented to the grand jury. As a human being how do you not feel some sort of responsibility for that ? When King arrived, he saw the devastating scene. Weather Traffic Station nightclub fire Names are listed in alphabetical order by last name. In 2003, 100 people died and over 200 were injured at a rock concert in West Warwick, Rhode Island. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. "The first time I went to counseling, I made the therapist cry," Del Sesto said. This is a company that did little to educate their employees about the limits of polyurethane foam. PHOTOS: On this day - February 20, 2003 -- The Station nightclub fire "They all say I never would have stopped it, and I probably wouldn't have. Patrick Lynch: They are running the operation. Biechele flipped a switch that caused lead singer Blackie Lawlesss crotch to erupt with showering sparks. 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. He threw my wife, my cousin, my uncle, my sister out a window." "Taking responsibility for your actions goes a long way," she says. Since he co-owned The Station nightclub with his brother Michael Derderian, Jeff suggested it as a venue for generic nightclub footage. Phil Barr: I loved it. They were charged with two counts for every lost life under separate theories of the crime. Jeff Derderian: You know a day doesn't go by that we don't think about it in some way, shape or form. I couldn't play an instrument. 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. One of them is never say die, never give up. Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. So, I actually got a really good sense of the layout of the venue. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright . For years, he worked in Boston for Channel 7. Michael spent 33 months in prison, while Jeff had to do 500 hours of community service. 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. To the right is this much larger space in front of a stage. Petrarca remembers one of the "most beautiful moments" she's had. 443 Station Nightclub Fire Premium High Res Photos Browse 443 station nightclub fire photos and images available, or search for station fire or station night club to find more great photos and pictures. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. The fire, which killed at least 54 people, resulted from a pyrotechnics display during the first song of Great White's set. Three years after the fire sparked by a rock band's pyrotechnics killed 100 people at his club, Michael Derderian, one of the brothers who co-owned it, is set to go to trial on involuntary manslaughter charges. It all started around 11 p.m. when the rock band Jack Russell's Great White took the stage and the group's tour manager, Daniel Biechele, set off four large fireworks called gerbs. Because so many people that were there don't have that opportunity. Jeff Derderian: this is flammable you can't have this. 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. One near the bar. In the days after the tragedy, the Derderians and Great White disputed whether the band had permission for pyrotechnics. Like you feel that kinship that, you know, "God, I really hope this guy makes it." And then we've got the pressure from the judge saying you know, you're going to go to jail for 30 years apiece. 9. Tracy King died saving many others the night of the fire. Collect, curate and comment on your files. Even if he died trying. White reminded the judge that Biechele had not gotten the legally required permit to light pyrotechnics. The devastation wrought by the defendant in unparalleled is our states history, White asserted. And yet, at the point in time, I don't think I knew his name. People were crushing each other in front of him trying to get out of the emergency exits. Browse 407 station nightclub fire stock photos and images available or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. I couldn't understand him or understand the magnitude of what was going on there. Jim Axelrod: Were you a fan of the band Great White? Purchase and sale had been signed. The Station was owned by brothers Michael and Jeff Derderian. A staggering 100 lives were lost. These days, she uses her job as a teacher at John F. Deering Middle School to make it so those who didn't suffer so directly will remember it too. and I tripped over what I assume was a bar stool. But, you know, they have this following to this day . But many, including the brothers, feel strongly Laroque should also have been charged. He is now seven years sober from cocaine, although alcohol is a more "pestering problem," he says. Tracy King liked to entertain people with his unique talent. Jim Axelrod: Mr. Warner's fax wasn't presented to the grand jury, correct? . But what they received was highly flammable packing foam. JACK RUSSELL [news interview]: We never do anything without asking permission first. The Station Night Club Fire (GRAPHIC) NSFW : r/videos - Reddit At least 86 people were reportedly killed by the blaze. Inside The Inferno: The Station Nightclub Fire | Thought Catalog VIDEO: The Station Nightclub Fire - F.E. Moran The club was sold. In the aftermath, Vanner battled an addiction to crack cocaine and alcohol, which he used to cope but which cost him jobs and his driver's license. Patrick Lynch: Jeffrey and Michael Derderian. Great White was part of the lawsuit. "It feels like somebody knew somebody who was in that fire or knew somebody who did, so the pain is very personal.". Police investigators survey the site of The Station nightclub fire in West Warwick, R.I., in this Feb. 26, 2003, file photo. First of all, I don't know you would, how would you how would you accomplish the detail and the amount of new information in a news conference or, you know, a commercial or something that we would try and do on our own. And 18 years after the fire, the brothers say they want to set the record straight and reveal new information. it was also on fire. Cookie Notice Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. 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. The bouncers had been instructed that door was only for band members and associates. ", He told bartender Julie Mellini that they had to leave, and she and several patrons followed Vanner out the kitchen door. The fire was now out of control; it had spread along the foam that lined the walls and ceiling intended to dampen sound. PATRICK LYNCH [news interview]: Certainly, there are people we are looking at, ultimately, we may target. As a result of the fire, the grandfather clause exempting buildings built before the mandatory sprinkler law was abolished and all Rhode Island nightclubs are required to have sprinklers. The Station Nightclub was a popular heavy metal nightclub in West Warwick, RI built in 1946 and grandfathered out of the 1976 fire sprinkler law. The state of Rhode Island is small," says author Scott James. Biechele was released from prison on March 19, 2008 after serving less than half his four-year sentence. Drew Carey gets into a drag showdown after picking a fight between fans of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" and "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert". And then the main exit that hallway where everyone came through," explains Scott James. Scott James: When people arrive, they walk through this entrance and this kinda longish hallway. Photo by Gary I Rothstein/UPI Jim Axelrod: Did the contract specify the use of pyrotechnics? Jody King: I spent the next five or six hours going back and forth in the parking lot talking to firemen, asking firemen, "can you please pull the sheets back for me?
