[61] Michael Derderian received fifteen years in prison, with four to serve and eleven years suspended, plus three years' probationthe same sentence as Biechele. 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. And I remember that statement, because I was, like, this is not great. I could have missed my daughter's high school graduation, the birth of her children. And that's when I noticed the black on my arms. It couldnt continue another 10, 15 years, it couldnt. They didn't even let him talk about it. undisputable. Jeffrey Derderian received 500 hours of community service. Legal action against several parties, including Great White, were resolved with monetary settlements by 2008. Inside The Inferno: The Station Nightclub Fire | Thought Catalog Jim Axelrod: Mr. Warner's fax wasn't presented to the grand jury, correct? [tears up] And the roof and just everything just fast, too fast. Michael Derderian: I don't know about that. The February 25 concert at the Dunkin' Donuts Center was broadcast Sunday night on VH1 and VH1 Classic. At 55, he lives with his parents and keeps to himself. There's an exit near the stage. They were friends. [32] In April 2003, The Derderians were fined $1.07 million for failing to carry workers' compensation insurance for their employees. 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. Nothing lifts his despair. Parole board chairwoman Lisa Holley told journalists of her surprise at the forgiving attitude of the families, saying, "I think the most overwhelming part of it for me was the depth of forgiveness of many of these families that have sustained such a loss. The tragedy, she said, heightened her appreciation of the life she was allowed, for whatever reason, to continue. People recall the events of the fourth deadliest night club fire in U.S. history. Patrick Lynch: Did he do his job perfectly? According to Lynch, under Rhode Island law, the fire marshal could not be criminally charged unless there was evidence of bad faith or malice. That was the most important thing, they didnt freak.. [34], Providence Phoenix columnist Ian Donnis wrote of the effect that the fire had on the close-knit Rhode Island community, "The loss of so much life would represent a tragedy anywhere, but it struck especially hard in Rhode Island, the nation's smallest state, where no place is more than an hour away by car and the fire claimed one tenth of one percent of the state's population. (WATCH) The Station Nightclub Fire is Remembered in the Documentary [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. Barr was located between the stage and the front door. But he didn't know what. [2], Prior to being converted into a nightclub and concert venue, the Station building had been used as a restaurant and tavern. 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. 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. 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? I found my soul was wanting.. 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. Patrick Lynch: You're telling me it wasn't, and I don't know that it wasn't. That's how thick the smoke was. He don't know. 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. Isn't that an important fact in determining who's at fault? Seconds later, flames appeared on the back wall. And yet, at the point in time, I don't think I knew his name. Jason Hahn. "[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. And by then, the black smoke was pouring out over their heads. He was the. Pyrotechnics ignited foam insulation that lined the walls and ceiling around the stage, the National Institute of Standards and Technology concluded. It fuels 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. 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. Sparks from the gerbs ignited the insulation foam, and flames were visible on the wall above the stage within nine seconds of their ignition. Now in private practice, Lynch says he looked into a host of people. Jeff Derderian: Because in my mind I had nothing to hide. Linda Saran: I think a lot of people miss out on the moments. But with last springs dedication of the memorial on the old nightclub site, Del Sesto said she thinks she has found a way not to forget, but to live with the memories. The four exits inside The Station: "There's an exit near the stage an exit through the kitchen. [12] Great White's popularity had waned in the decade prior to the Station fire, and they had been performing on a touring circuit of small clubs with capacities of up to 500 people. "48 Hours" has confirmed the fax wasnotpresented to the grand jury. (WJAR) WEST WARWICK . [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. Jim Axelrod: Over the course of the investigation, what did you learn about the way the brothers ran their business? [9], The foam was sold to the Derderians by American Foam. Jim Axelrod: Does this mean you feel a sense of responsibility? [4] The nightclub was purchased by brothers Michael and Jeffrey Derderian in March 2000. 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. Phil Barr: I loved it. He sees his actions as a verdict on his own humanity. He got a tire iron from his car, smashed the glass, and started pulling people out. As we mark 20 years since that night, here are those who. [32] The fine was not resolved until 2013, ten years after the fire, when it was upheld by a judge. And I turned around, I said, "Get out, get out, get to the door, get to the door!" It seems senseless that something like this could happen. 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. It was liquid fire. [81] In August 2016, the site was reported to have been being used as a PokeStop in Pokmon Go, to uproar from victims' families. Jeff Derderian: We tried to get as far as we could. Michael Derderian: Correct. 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. The TIAs required automatic fire sprinklers in all existing nightclubs and similar locations that accommodate more than 100 occupants, and all new locations in the same categories. It was crowded, and it was getting bad. But many, including the brothers, feel strongly Laroque should also have been charged. That effort raised about $10,000 over seven years to help pay for the construction of the memorial park. Jeff Derderian: They didn't even bring up the fax to him. We talk about fire safety a bit, I dont get too, too far into it.. He sees a court-ordered therapist, who has told him he has depression and PTSD. CBS Boston Rhode Island Gov. Phil Barr fought to breathe on his own. Lourdes Aguiar is the senior producer. He tells her he wishes that hed tried to extinguish the fire. 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. When January comes each year, she starts a lesson, delicately, talking about The Station and how there was a fire there. People say they just feel peaceful, Russo told the Globe. Scott James: He writes up this long, almost a manifesto about all the things that he thinks are wrong in that foam company that led to this tragedy. Jim Axelrod: Did either of you know anything about running a nightclub? Access remains open to the public, and memorial services are held each February 20. [78], On the twentieth anniversary of the fire on February 20, 2023, Rhode Island governor Dan McKee ordered flags in Rhode Island lowered to half-staff for the day and the Rhode Island State House to be illuminated in memory of the 100 victims. After the fire, multiple civil and criminal cases were filed. [26] The Cowesett Inn restaurant across the street from the Station acted as an ad-hoc burn triage and command center for first responders. But that night, leading the cameraman around was bouncer Tracy King, a dedicated husband and father of three young boys. The Foam.". It would have been my legacy, Vanner said. She spoke with the Globe about Jefferey and Michael Derderian, the . [tears up, shaking his head]. On February 20, 2003, in West Warwick, Rhode Island, the fourth deadliest nightclub fire in United States history occurred in The Station nightclub. For people to know you can go there now and look at this beautiful park and talk to your person thats what I love about it.. She said she went into the club that night a naive, fun-loving 27-year-old and came out angry and feeling guilty. [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. 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. The trunk bears the names of the fire victims. And, according to the brothers, it was one of the first exits used when the fire started. And then the main exit that hallway where everyone came through. 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. It looked like it was raining black fire. WEST WARWICK, R.I. -- Five years . Brandon Fravale, a survivor of The Station nightclub fire, speaks with NBC 10 on how he copes with survivor's guilt. The answer is no. you could not see your hand in front of your face. [95] When Russell launched his version of the band in 2012, Kendall's group responded that Russell had no right to use the name. [78] The event raised at least $25,000 in donations for the Station Family Fund, and was broadcast in March by VH1 and VH1 Classic. [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. [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]. 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. Lying on the floor not far from the horseshoe bar, Barr lost consciousness. In the months and years that followed, Jody also learned about Tracy's heroic last moments. And so, when the fire inspector came in and said that that door had to come down the door, the door did come down. They should have blamed more. The third started that day. S01:E02 - Joplin Tornado. then as it heals, the scarring tightens up. I couldn't understand him or understand the magnitude of what was going on there. Biechele pleaded guilty to 100 counts of misdemeanor manslaughter and was sentenced to four years in prison. The Derderians say despite their love for the club the business had peaked, and they were in the process of selling it. "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. "It's hard to describe the level of agony. 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. 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. Eighteen years later, there is no consensus among survivors when it comes to blame. it was also on fire. Cold air washing over me. View Image Gallery. [59], Biechele's parole and probation expired in March 2011. Those at the nightclub had to act soon, as smoke was visible in the exit doorways in just over one minute. One guy did crawl out. Michael spent 33 months in prison, while Jeff had to do 500 hours of community service. Gina Russo, a survivor of The Station nightclub fire. [39] WPRI-TV and Derderian were criticized for the conflict of interest in having a reporter do a report concerning his own property. Most people still just stood there. Enduring and remembering: The Station fire 20 years later I would forgive them in a heartbeat. 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. into the main barroom. But I should have at least tried.. [28] By 1:30 a.m. on February 21, all patients had been transported and the street had been cleared. The Derderians bought the club as an investment. Because so many people that were there don't have that opportunity. Joe Kinan was badly burned in the deadly Station Nightclub fire in Rhode Island that left 100 dead and 230 injured in February 2003 . I will never forget that night, and I will never forget the people that were hurt by it. But what they received was highly flammable packing foam. [101], The Derderian brothers conducted their first television interview about the fire in 2021 for 48 Hours. In the days after the fire, victims' families and survivors faced a harsh new reality. [30] Longley reportedly died after returning to the building to retrieve his guitar. 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. [89] Kendall said in 2005, "We haven't played that song. [90] Russell planned to donate the proceeds to the Station Fire Memorial Foundation, but the organization asked to be disassociated from the concert, citing the animosity still felt by many of the survivors and surviving families. Also there that night was Bates College student Phil Barr, who was home for winter break. "I literally baked alive," says Linda Barr. " I couldn't hear noise. Warner lived next to The Station and had met the brothers. And it was ugly. I never imagined that anyone ever would be. Robin Petrarca was in New York City three weeks ago, looking for some laughs in a comedy club. [24] Hundreds of firefighters responded to the fire, including every available West Warwick firefighter. [84] In September 2012, the owner of the land, Ray Villanova, donated the site to the SFMF. 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.. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. [102] It is left for each state or local jurisdiction to legally enact and enforce the current code changes. But for anyone who was in The Station nightclub on Feb. 20, 2003, she said, a night out triggers an awareness. 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]. 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. [95], Russell performed a benefit show in February 2013 in Hermosa Beach, California in commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the fire. 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. Biechele was released from prison in 2008 after some families of the victims expressed their support for his parole. Michael Derderian: He's completely out of it. [89] "I don't think I could ever sing that song again," said Russell. [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. But never once do they say, "we screwed up." Phil Barr: Being a survivor of The Station nightclub fire is a piece of who I am. The pyrotechnics were gerbs, cylindrical devices that produce a controlled spray of sparks. 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. DANIEL BIECHELE [at sentencing hearing in tears]: I don't know that I will ever forgive myself for what happened that night. Petrarca remembers one of the most beautiful moments shes had. As numerous violations of existing codes contributed to the severity of the fire, there was immediate effort to strengthen fire code protections. Stay up to date with everything Boston. 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 manslaughter.
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