Rhode Island nightclub fire
On February 20, 2003, a devastating fire occurred at the Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island, during a performance by the band Great White. The incident was triggered by a pyrotechnic display that ignited a fire due to the presence of flammable materials, resulting in one of the deadliest nightclub disasters in U.S. history. The fire claimed the lives of 100 individuals and injured nearly 200 more, as patrons rushed toward the club's main entrance, which had a severely limited exit width. This bottleneck prevented many from escaping the rapidly spreading flames.
In the aftermath, legal actions were taken against those involved, including the band's tour manager and the club's owners, who faced charges of involuntary manslaughter. The tragedy prompted significant changes in safety regulations, including the enactment of the Massachusetts Fire Safety Act in 2004, which mandated sprinkler systems in nightclubs and bars. Charitable organizations, like the Station Family Fund, were also established to support survivors and the victims' families, highlighting the community's response to this heartbreaking event. The fire remains a poignant reminder of the importance of safety measures in public venues.
Rhode Island nightclub fire
The Event: A fire resulting from a pyrotechnic display that left one hundred nightclub patrons dead and almost two hundred others injured
Date: February 20, 2003
Place: West Warwick, Rhode Island
On the night of February 20, 2003, a fire broke out at a Rhode Island nightclub during a performance by the band Great White. A small pyrotechnic display caused the walls of the club to catch fire. The incident resulted in many deaths and injuries.
The Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island, was the scene of one of the deadliest nightclub fires in history. One hundred people were killed and almost two hundred more were injured. The fire was triggered by a pyrotechnic display used in a show featuring the band Great White.
The pyrotechnic devices, known as gerbs, were set off about eleven o’clock, just seconds into Great White’s set. Once the gerbs were ignited, the sparks they generated came in contact with nearby walls onto which a two-and-a-half-inch layer of polyurethane had been installed by club owners Michael and Jeffrey Derderian to make the building soundproof. The sparks caused the walls to ignite, and the ensuing fire quickly tore through the rest of the structure.
At the time the fire broke out, more than three hundred patrons were inside. The majority of these patrons headed toward the main entrance. This entrance had only a three-foot-wide clearance, causing a severe bottleneck and trapping many inside.
Daniel Biechele, Great White’s tour manager and the man who set off the gerbs, was charged with involuntary manslaughter, as were the Derderians. Biechele and Michael Derderian were sentenced to four-year prison terms. Jeffrey Derderian was placed on probation and performed community service.
Impact
Charitable organizations, including the Station Family Fund, were established to help survivors and the families of victims. To prevent another such tragedy, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) urged enforcement of existing safety codes. Additionally, the Massachusetts Fire Safety Act became law in 2004. The act requires sprinkler systems at clubs and bars; those owners who do not comply with this and other safety regulations will face criminal charges.
Bibliography
Farragher, Thomas. “Deception, Missteps Sparked a Tragedy.” Boston Globe 8 June 2003: A1. Print.
“Final NIST Rhode Island Nightclub Fire Report Urges Strict Adherence to and Strengthening of Current Model Safety Codes.” National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). US Department of Commerce, 29 June 2005. Web. 7 Sept. 2012.
Grosshandler, William, et al. Report of the Technical Investigation of the Station Nightclub Fire. Vol. 1. National Institute of Standards and Technology, 30 June 2005. Web. 7 Sept. 2012.