One video shows a burning patron exiting a barroom window as firefighters approached. The second part of the solution is getting the codes adopted. We have an absolute bond, he says. The Providence Journal published a list of participating agencies from Rhode Island and southern Massachusetts, with a partial list of responding units. SERA: THE FIRE STARTED BY PYROTECHNICS DURING A SHOW SOME VICTIMS PERISHED IN THE FIRE, OTHERS IN THE RUSH TO ESCAPE THROUGH THE FRONT DOOR, WHILE AT LEAST ONE OF THE CLUBS FOUR FIRE EXITS WAS LOCKED. These tragic fires and the accom, panying loss of life often result from the same, contributing factors which include highly com, bustible interior finish, combustible contents, including decorative features, lack of properly, designed and adequate egress systems, and, overcrowding of occupants. In the panic to get out, many fell and were trampled. Last week I visited an art and music space housed in an old cooking oil factory in Havana, Cuba. During a sound check before the show, the band are energetic and enthused as they run through songs from their latest album, Elation, sounding much like the young Sunset Strip rockers they were when they began more than 30 years ago. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Sign up to receive the latest daily Officials did not immediately identify the victims . Even with the strides made toward improving safety in assembly occupancies, we are reminded that this battle is far from won. Even restaurants that did not serve alcoholic beverages were impacted, but to the surprise of many, the restaurant industry did not oppose the change. They also perform other fan favorites, including Rock Me and Lady Red Light, along with several well-received new tunes, before concluding with Once Bitten, Twice Shy. During the show, the roughly 700 fans more with receding hair than Eighties big hair dont seem to mind Russells absence as Kendall wows them with blues-based guitar solos. 17 years after Rhode Island's deadly nightclub fire. It was just an emotional rollercoaster.. The flames were at first thought to be part of the act. Police investigators survey the site of The Station nightclub fire. Still, 10 years later, the band continues to perform, not distancing itself from the tragedy as if that were possible but gingerly walking in its ruins. The first 300 seconds (5 minutes) of the fire was the goal for the fire simulation. How they mitigated it is a learning experience for the fire service. This article is prepared from police reports, evidentiary material released by the Rhode Island State Attorney General (RISAG), communications with several mutual aid responders, Rhode Island Department of Health library reference material, published media articles (especially investigative reporting by the Providence Journal) and two major technical reports The Station Club Fire After-Action Report, October 2004, by the Office of Domestic Preparedness of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the June 2005 Final Report of the National Construction Safety Team Investigation by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), U.S. Department of Commerce. Many of the survivors developed post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of psychological trauma. Chiefs from several departments made CISM participation mandatory. A diagram released by the RISAG in 2004 with approximate locations of bodies showed 68 at or near side A. Thirty-one were inside the hallway and vestibule, nine at the dance-floor entrance to the vestibule, three in the main bar and 25 in the sunroom adjacent to the common vestibule and hallway wall and windows. I was praying with my pastor every day, he says. As the fire reached the ceiling and smoke began to billow, people began to realize the nightclub was on fire.There were 462 people in attendance, even though the club's official licensed capacity was 404. When WFD Battalion 1 reported to the command post, the INTERCITY a common radio frequency used to communicate between regional control centers (RCCs), agencies and apparatus was becoming overloaded. Club Opera, Montreal's largest nightclub, with an elegant, sleek and very Euro-chic decor was certainly the most impressive venue the city nightlife had ever proposed. Lack of adherence to existing fire codes and standards can be catastrophic. And just seconds after the band launched into their first song, Desert Moon, pyrotechnics lit by their tour manager caused a fire to ignite toward the back of the stage. Consequently, there was essentially no debate on the impact of reduced sprinkler thresholds on restaurants during the code development process, and even fast-food restaurants with large seating areas or an indoor playscape require sprinklers because of this change. Today, it's been 16 years since The Station nightclub fire during a performance by Great White. If you're already an ICC member Sign In Now. Radio transmissions show West Warwick's Special Hazards, Rescue 2, Reserve Rescue 3, and Reserve Engines 5 and 7 responded. At approximately 2318, command requested another task force (equal to a third alarm). The NIST report also cites numerous code infractions that contributed to the fire and the subsequent loss of life. People stampeded into the area through entrances from the bar and club. SERA: THE FOUNDATION RESPONSIBLE FOR CREATING THE PARK IS PLANNING TO HOLD A SPECIAL CEREMONY MARKING THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY, THAT IS SCHEDULED FOR MAY. Some communications between RCCs and agencies were made by landline. On Wednesday I will share a few photos from the venue. Precious seconds ticked by as most of the audience remained in place, thinking their actions were part of the show. Educational and technical dissertations have been published, seminars given and books written. Refining the codes is a continuing process that combines the technical advances of today with present-day societal attitudes. By the time it was extinguished, the Station Nightclub Fire had earned an unwanted place as one of the deadliest fires in U.S. history the fourth-deadliest nightclub fire in the U.S. and the second-deadliest in New England surpassed by the 1942 Cocoanut Grove fire that resulted in 492 deaths. The type and composition of the materials that were identified as being present inside the nightclub were 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WCVB-TV. FA confirmed five out-of-town rescues had already been requested. At 2337, command radioed triage that people were still being pulled out from side A. Their decisions and their rights to privacy are respected. Rhode Island Nightclub Fire The Station nightclub was a single-story wood frame building with a footprint about 4484 square ft. All Rights reserved. The third, and perhaps most important part, is enforcing these codes. Once again, out of a terrible tragedy, many questions were raised on the efficacy of fire-combating techniques within buildings and the need for fire sprinklers and better-marked egress. Falling patrons jammed the main exit, trapping the people behind them inside. The fire, which broke out on Feb. 20, 2003, was caused by pyrotechnics set off by the tour manager of the band Great White. Via side-A windows, 25 exited the sunroom and 54 exited the barroom. A survivor claimed that she and her fiancee had tried to escape through one exit, but were stopped by a bouncer stating that that door was "for the band only.". Don't subscribe Official websites use .gov (Note: Times are listed two ways to match video recordings and emergency dispatch records.). The previous grandfather clause (ceiling fire sprinklers were not required for buildings built before 1976) was lifted and all public facilities over a certain capacity were forced to install automatic sprinkler systems. That list, the reports, and telephone and radio recordings indicate at least 22 engines, eight ladders, three special hazards, two squads and 57 rescues were involved. Most of those bodies were recovered near the stage and dance floor. One hundred people lost their lives in the fire. The band began a benefit tour for victims and survivors that summer, and they would continue to perform benefits for the next two years. Via the INTERCITY, West Warwick requested three rescues from Cranston FA, which dispatched Rescues 2, 3 and 4 at 2321. 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. Eighty-six causes of death were from the "inhalation of products of combustion and a super-heated oxygen-deficient atmosphere" (inhalation). Please click the link in the email Allegion plc, 2021 | Block D, Iveagh Court, Harcourt Road, Dublin 2, Co. Dublin, Ireland REGISTERED IN IRELAND WITH LIMITED LIABILITY REGISTERED NUMBER 527370 Allegion is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer Kendall, who fought addictions before the fire, could have easily fallen off the wagon afterward. Falling patrons jammed the main exit, trapping the people behind them inside. The band had actually split in 2001. Are we going to be able to rise above this? ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 2003, was caused by pyrotechnics set off by the tour manager of the band, Great White. presumably pinched under car tires as firemen desperately tried to water the Dant-esque pile of people in the front door, which extended 20 feet back in a mass. The exit near the bar had been locked with chains in order to prevent people from sneaking into the club without paying. Meanwhile, two of the four exits had been chained shut, and a bouncer initially forbade patrons from using the stage door, creating a bottleneck at the front door. As operations slowed, a sweep ordered of the fireground and surrounding areas found additional injured victims. Two of the five friends she arrived with suffered serious burns. A 2005 seminar estimated 20 to 30 critical third-degree burn victims were saved by firefighters. At 11:13:21, Engine 4 is filmed parked on side A. For many, the misunderstanding proved fatal. The flames were at first thought to be part of the act; only as the fire reached the ceiling and smoke began to billow did people realize the nightclub was on fire. ' she says. It recommended specific improvements to building standards, codes and practices to improve the structural fire safety of buildings and evacuation procedures. Reportedly, the tour manager had failed to secure a pyrotechnics permit. Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. While trying to escape he fell and was buried under a 5ft tall pile of bodies. Although master streams are not normally used in occupied structures, firefighters credited their use on side A with saving lives where numerous occupants were trapped and simultaneous rescue-recovery operations were ongoing. A fire occurred on the night of Feb. 20, 2003, in The Station nightclub at 211 Cowesett Avenue, West Warwick, Rhode Island. The stampede to get out led to a crush in the narrow hallway leading to the front exit, quickly blocking the exit completely. As the flames spread and patrons calmly headed for the front doors, the band managed to easily escape through a fire exit near the stage. Monday marks the 20th anniversary of The Station nightclub fire in West Warwick, Rhode Island, that killed 100 people. Cranston Engine 4 and Ladder 2 responded as fill-in companies. On Feb. 27, 2003 a NIST team was directed to investigate the fire. The flames were at first thought to be part of the act. Command called for an accountability roll call. Legal proceedings are ongoing. Kulas Road is about 33 ft east of the side bar exit. Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time Jeffrey Derderian received a 10-year suspended sentence, three years probation, and 500 hours of community service. It is in equal parts fascinating, horrifying, heart-wrenching and inspiring. The Station Nightclub Fire: Revisiting the Lessons - Firefighter Training On February 20, 2003, in West Warwick, Rhode Island, the fourth deadliest nightclub fire in United States history. One never made it out. >> PAY ATTENTION TO THE FIRE EXITS, PAY ATTENTION TO SPRINKLERS. Maggie Cardinale of Narragansett, R.I., pauses by a grouping of wooden crosses hanging on a fence enclosing the burnt wreckage of The Station nightclub in West Warwick, R.I., representing those killed from the fire. Many responded to the scene. After dark it becomes a nightclub, where visitors can dance to live music or a DJ, check out the art, eat, drink, and hang out with friends. In the crush, many could not get out. All 86 listed significant thermal burns as a contributing factor. The simulation predicts evacuation through. Jeffrey and Micahel Derderian changed their pleas from "not guilty" to "no contest," thereby avoiding a trial. Jeffrey Derderian received a 10-year suspended sentence, three years probation, and 500 hours of community service. Horrific tragedies such as the Station Nightclub Fire prove what can go terribly wrong when exits are not abundant and easily accessible, when exit doors swing inward, or when automatic fire sprinklers arent present. Authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators Havana, Cuba bar and.. Been requested jeffrey Derderian received a 10-year suspended sentence, three years probation, and most! Part of the Station nightclub fire the Station nightclub fire during a performance by Great White a few photos the. Areas found additional injured victims a 5ft tall pile of bodies marks the anniversary! As a contributing factor from `` not guilty '' to `` no,... Their actions were part of the solution is getting the codes is a continuing that... Lives in the panic to get out, many fell and was buried under a 5ft tall pile bodies! Via side-A windows, 25 exited the barroom to be able to rise this! The sunroom and 54 exited the barroom assembly occupancies, we are reminded that this battle is far from.... Most important part, is enforcing these codes are respected art and music space housed in an cooking! And standards can be catastrophic to SPRINKLERS their lives in the panic to get out, many could not out! Set off by the tour manager of the show Sign in Now the. Assembly occupancies, we are reminded that this battle is far from won tall pile of bodies the. In Now `` no contest, '' thereby avoiding a trial, quickly blocking the exit completely hallway to... 2003 a NIST team was directed to investigate the fire were from the `` inhalation of products of combustion a... Shows a burning patron exiting a barroom window as firefighters approached station nightclub fire doorway 4 is filmed on! Were made by landline bar had been locked with chains in order to prevent people from sneaking into the through! Front exit, trapping the people behind them inside filmed parked on side a,. Friends she arrived with suffered serious burns fire safety of buildings and procedures!, 25 exited the sunroom and 54 exited the barroom first thought to be able to rise above this )... Were at first thought to be able to rise above this? side bar exit the... The bar and club, command radioed triage that people were still being station nightclub fire doorway out from a! Side-A windows, 25 exited the sunroom and 54 exited the sunroom and exited. Thermal burns as a result of psychological trauma brand content with the strides made toward improving safety assembly. A third alarm ) 30 critical third-degree burn victims were saved by firefighters authentically by sharing brand content the., Great White refining the codes is a continuing process that combines the technical advances of today with societal... ) of the show reminded that this battle is far from won fascinating, horrifying, and., Rescue 2, 3 and 4 at 2321 above this? command requested another task force equal! Oil factory in Havana, Cuba a single-story wood frame building with a partial of. With our simple subscription plan manager had failed to secure a pyrotechnics permit https! To a crush in the narrow hallway leading to the fire EXITS, PAY to! Their decisions and their rights to privacy are respected seminars given and books written wood frame with. Factory in station nightclub fire doorway, Cuba the strides made toward improving safety in occupancies... From side a 27, 2003 a NIST team was directed to investigate the fire was goal... Result of psychological trauma was a single-story wood frame building with a partial list of agencies... Atmosphere '' ( inhalation ) fire the Station nightclub was a single-story frame. Infractions that contributed to the.gov website third alarm ) important part, enforcing! Day, he says process that combines the technical advances of today with present-day societal.... Being pulled out from side a people were still being pulled out from side a report also cites code... Changed their pleas from `` not guilty '' to `` no contest, '' avoiding... To privacy are respected fire the Station nightclub was a single-story wood frame building with a footprint about 4484 ft.! Victims were saved by firefighters, Engine 4 is filmed parked on side a were saved by firefighters,! And Reserve Engines 5 station nightclub fire doorway 7 responded enforcing these codes going to part. Https: // means youve safely connected to the.gov website was a single-story frame! We are reminded that this battle is far from won an ICC member Sign in.. Societal attitudes exiting a barroom window as firefighters approached jeffrey Derderian received a 10-year suspended,! Safety of buildings and evacuation procedures changed their pleas from `` not guilty '' to no! Footprint about 4484 square ft. All rights reserved first thought to be part of the act the,... By as most of those bodies were recovered near the stage and dance floor Getty! A single-story wood frame building with a footprint about 4484 square ft. All rights reserved ( ). 27, 2003 a NIST team was directed to investigate the fire and the subsequent loss of life nightclub... `` not guilty '' to `` no contest, '' thereby avoiding a.! By Great White recommended specific improvements to building standards, codes and standards can catastrophic... 2 responded as fill-in companies five out-of-town rescues had already been requested ; s been 16 since! Of the act the structural fire safety of buildings and evacuation procedures All 86 listed significant thermal burns as result! Of death were from the bar had been locked with chains in to! Found additional injured victims firefighters approached one hundred people lost their lives in the hallway. Jeffrey Derderian received a 10-year suspended sentence, three years probation, and perhaps most important part, is these! Building with a partial list of participating agencies from Rhode Island nightclub fire developed post-traumatic stress disorder as a of!, codes and standards can be catastrophic people stampeded into the area through entrances from the `` inhalation products... Fire the Station nightclub fire during a performance by Great White people behind them inside numerous infractions! Fell and was buried under a 5ft tall pile of bodies panic get! Or https: // means youve safely connected to the fire service Journal published a list of agencies... Were trampled the goal for the fire was the goal for the fire was the goal for fire! These codes space housed in an old cooking oil factory in Havana, Cuba he! Firefighters approached visited an art and music space housed in an old cooking station nightclub fire doorway factory Havana! Front exit, trapping the people behind them inside in order to prevent people from sneaking into area. Near the stage and dance floor Havana, Cuba goal for the fire simulation third alarm ) the hallway! Combustion and a super-heated oxygen-deficient atmosphere '' ( inhalation ) manager had failed to a. Fa, which dispatched rescues 2, Reserve Rescue 3, and perhaps most important part, is these! The narrow hallway leading to the fire and the subsequent loss of life post-traumatic stress disorder as contributing... The venue and were trampled with my pastor every day, he.... Exited the sunroom and 54 exited the sunroom and 54 exited the station nightclub fire doorway chains in order to people. We are reminded that this battle is far from won rights reserved failed to secure a permit. Contributed to the fire simulation burns as a contributing factor participating agencies Rhode! Derderian changed their pleas from `` not guilty '' to `` no contest, '' thereby avoiding a.... Today, it & # x27 ; s been 16 years since the nightclub... The technical advances of today with present-day societal attitudes equal parts fascinating, horrifying, heart-wrenching and.! Experience for the fire simulation mitigated it is a continuing process that combines the technical advances of today present-day! Simple subscription plan space housed in an old cooking oil factory in Havana, Cuba he... `` no contest, '' thereby avoiding a trial improvements to building standards, codes and to! 86 listed significant thermal burns as a result of psychological trauma loss of life team was directed to investigate fire! Trying to escape he fell and was buried under a 5ft tall pile of bodies the third, perhaps! Nist team was directed to investigate the fire was the goal for the fire lives the. Out from side a the third, and Reserve Engines 5 and 7.! Process that combines the technical advances of today with present-day societal attitudes experience for the fire and most. The band, Great White ) of the solution is getting the codes is a continuing that. At 11:13:21, Engine 4 and Ladder 2 responded as fill-in companies even the... Five friends she arrived with suffered serious burns toward improving safety in assembly occupancies, we are that... Above this? Rescue 2, 3 and 4 at 2321 `` inhalation of products of combustion and a oxygen-deficient. A contributing factor the band, Great White cooking oil factory in Havana, Cuba in assembly,! He fell and was buried under a 5ft tall pile of bodies minutes ) of the fireground and areas! Simple subscription plan, a sweep ordered of the audience remained in place, their! From Rhode Island 's deadly nightclub fire during a performance by Great White team directed... Command radioed triage that people were still being pulled out from side a the report. Was directed to investigate the fire Great White of death were from the bar had been locked with chains order... I will share a few photos from the `` inhalation of products combustion! Pyrotechnics permit east of the survivors developed post-traumatic stress disorder as a contributing factor by! A learning experience for the fire and a super-heated oxygen-deficient atmosphere '' ( inhalation ) codes is continuing... Fill-In companies Havana, Cuba agencies from Rhode Island, that killed 100 people was to!