Jeff Derderian: That door was meant to block the noise from the neighbors. 2021 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Cold air washing over me. There is one consistent thing I have learned after 18 years in the [9] Jeffrey Derderian said the door was also installed due to noise, and they had removed it as asked, but sometimes re-installed it if the venue was going to be loud that night, and it was used by the band to escape the building during the fire. Phil Barr: We kind of crouched down behind some of the people in front of us. That specific. Nothing lifts his despair. 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. Jim Axelrod: Over the course of the investigation, what did you learn about the way the brothers ran their business? 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. But Jeff Derderian, who was helping out at the bar, says he and an employee tried to get to the stage with a fire extinguisher. The Derderians say that in the three years they owned the club, no one ever questioned the safety of the foam. He don't know. And I'm like, "OK.". [40][37] Derderian resigned from WPRI on June 30. Scott James: I decided I would start asking some questions. Biechele pleaded guilty to 100 counts of misdemeanor manslaughter and was sentenced to four years in prison. ", "We are now at 65, and that may be higher ", Jeff Derderian: "Can you come in? 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.. "[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. He was out there, and he just loved being in the center. Scott James: It was a typical kind of roadside dive. JACK RUSSELL [news interview]: Rock and Roll is supposed to be fun, not deadly you know. Jody King: They blamed three. As numerous violations of existing codes contributed to the severity of the fire, there was immediate effort to strengthen fire code protections. A true hero would have gone for it, Vanner said. That's how thick the smoke was. [28], Of the 462 people in the building for the concert, 100 were killed, 230 were injured, and 132 escaped uninjured. How is it our responsibility if they gave us the wrong foam?". Linda Saran: Yes. The fire quickly spread over the dance floor, along the ceiling. [94] Russell's group made its first New England appearance in twelve years at a harvest festival in Mechanic Falls, Maine, in August 2015. I could have missed that My friends that didn't survive that night have missed that. 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. I did not lead them out, he said dismissively. Sparks from the gerbs ignited the insulation foam, and flames were visible on the wall above the stage within nine seconds of their ignition. / CBS News. I never wanted anyone to be hurt in any way. [79], The site of the fire was cleared, and a multitude of crosses were placed as memorials, left by loved ones of the deceased. The pyrotechnics were gerbs, cylindrical devices that produce a controlled spray of sparks. It is the fourth-deadliest nightclub fire in U.S. history. Purchase and sale had been signed. 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. There had to be that period for me. 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. She paused, her eyes tearing. If they stood up and said, small business owners, we were inexperienced. Many of the families believed that the punishment was just; others had hoped for a more severe sentence. Jody King: When he walked into a room, if there wasn't a smile he'd start balancing stuff to get you uplifted and smiling. Jeff Derderian: None of the inspections and then follow-up inspections. I noticed when the pyro stopped, the flame had kept going on both sides. I come down every year and play the [bagpipes], he told WCVB. He turned back to see the crowd bottle-necked at the stage. [27] A portion of the nightclub roof collapsed at 11:57 p.m., and a second portion in the building's sunroom collapsed at 12:07 a.m..[24] Patients were transported to Kent Hospital, which was filled to maximum capacity due to the fire. That's what the code says. The Derderians say despite their love for the club the business had peaked, and they were in the process of selling it. Phil Barr: I asked my pulmonologist, you know, "when can I get back in the pool?" Del Sesto said her life is told in three chapters now. I went around back. And yet, at the point in time, I don't think I knew his name. [83], In June 2003, the Station Fire Memorial Foundation (SFMF) was formed with the purpose of purchasing the property, to build and maintain a memorial. Michael Derderian: The field test is crystal clear. And that song reminds us of that night. She wrote a book, meets with burn victims, talks to fire departments and fire safety groups across the country. Linda Saran: The foam was raining down and the flames are dripping from the ceiling. A surgery to correct a childhood ailment with his ears left him able to balance objects on his chin. [4] No occupants were in the building during the 1972 fire, but the interior was significantly damaged. Great White's tour manager Daniel Biechele also faced the same charges. [89] The band raised $185,000 for the Station Family Fund during the tour. Cassidy was questioned by Customs and Border Protection in 2016, three sources familiar with the probe . Scott James: It should not have happened. "It feels like somebody knew somebody who was in that fire or knew somebody who did, so the pain is very personal.". That's when I turned back. There was nothing heroic about what I did.. The Station Fire: 100 victims in photos The Station Fire: 100 victims in photos 98 PHOTOS More Stories Has fire prevention in RI improved since The Station fire? So, it was very quickly they were in the circle of people we should look at. Jeff Derderian: I remember we were trying to get people away from the building. It fuels you. I couldn't hear screaming anymore. The company paid a hefty settlement and they weren't the only ones. Patrick Lynch: while troubling, concerning, maddening it doesn't mean that somebody should be charged or can be. An off-duty police officer standing outside had heard her kicking at the window. It did not. 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. I kicked out a side window to try to get people out of there. It was completely preventable. Phil Barr: It was getting harder and harder to breathe I could feel tightness and constriction in my chest. But never once do they say, "we screwed up." Michael Derderian: Zero. Even if he died trying. The third started that day. 0:57. Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider, who is featured in a REELZ documentary about the Warwick, Rhode Island Station nightclub fire, which killed some 100 attendees of a Great White concert in 2003, As a human being how do you not feel some sort of responsibility for that ? Club owners Jeffrey and Michael Derderian reached a settlement of $813,000 with survivors and victims' families in September 2008. CBS Boston Rhode Island Gov. 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. [96] By 2013, Russell's group had resumed playing "Desert Moon". As Great White started their first song, their tour manager Daniel Biechele set off four large fireworks called gerbs. But, you know, they have this following to this day . Linda Saran: The night of the fire I got in for free. Unlike many of the patrons there, this was Barr's first time at the club. [11] For the 2003 tour, the band was billed as "Jack Russell's Great White". And I hear [moves her arms to the side with a whoosh] and out Deb went. The Station was a nightclub that was located on the corner of Cowesett Avenue and Kulas Road in West Warwick, Rhode Island. Vanner wonders whether he could have saved them. [22] Biechele used four gerbs that were set to spray sparks 15 feet (4.6m) for fifteen seconds. I thought how terrible it was that my daughter was going to grow up without her mom. We took shortcuts. Michael and Jeff Derderian pleaded no contest to 100 counts of misdemeanor manslaughter and agreed to a deal. 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. [tearing up] "What a great brother you have. You see on your left the horseshoe-shaped bar. if he had done that, then he would have obviously have said to us . 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. [9] In 2008, American Foam agreed to pay $6.3 million to the families of the victims of the fire. Patrick Lynch: They are running the operation. His fiance, Tina Ayer, died at 33 in the fire, CBS Boston reported. Jeff Derderian: They didn't even bring up the fax to him. To the right is this much larger space in front of a stage. then as it heals, the scarring tightens up. [76] Another memorial was later that night the West Warwick Civic Center. One of them is never say die, never give up. Jody King: "Anybody see Tracy?" Tracy died never giving up. The charge is pending. 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. It looked like it was raining black fire. 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. [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. They would want to talk, she said, and they wouldnt freak. I found my soul was wanting.. Today marks the 20th anniversary of The Station nightclub fire in West Warwick, RI, which killed 100 people. 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. Michael Derderian: Correct. 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. [63] Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch objected strenuously to the plea bargain, saying that both brothers should have received jail time and that Michael Derderian should have received more time than Biechele. [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. Gina Russo, a survivor of The Station nightclub fire. Taking her students to the memorial park and telling them what it means were ways of building that memory, she said. He got a tire iron from his car, smashed the glass, and started pulling people out. 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. But then the door would go back up when it was going to be a loud night. At 55, he lives with his parents and keeps to himself. So, I said to Deb, "stay here. Jim Axelrod: Who's responsible for that foam going up on the wall? Barr was now outside, but he felt like his lungs were on fire. "We went out on a Thursday night to listen to music, drink some beers and have a good time. Michael Derderian: We say that they we're sorry for all of it.

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