it was also on fire. Is it true that, back then, you gave away breast enlargements to female customers? According to Lynch, under Rhode Island law, the fire marshal could not be criminally charged unless there was evidence of bad faith or malice. Patrick Lynch: while troubling, concerning, maddening it doesn't mean that somebody should be charged or can be. West Warwick police officer Mark Knott radioed headquarters: Stampede.. On June 12, 2016, Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old man, killed 49 people and wounded 53 more in a mass shooting at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, United States.Orlando Police officers shot and killed him after a three-hour standoff. Linda Saran: That's when you make a decision. She asks does anyone remember Pulsations Nightclub? 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. Nancy Kramer is the executive story editor. The night of the fire Jeff Derderian gave a statement to the local police and another one to an investigator with the Attorney General's Office. 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. The Derderians bought the club as an investment. All told, 100 people were killed either in the fire or as a result of their injuries and it became the nation's fourth deadliest nightclub fire. It has since been recorded as the worst mass . They want to talk to you." People traveled from near and far to visit this unique club. Survivor Phil Barr arrived to The Station early the night of the concert. All Rights Reserved. Jody King: He went on David Letterman twice to do Stupid Human Tricks. Help. Pulse nightclub owner and onePULSE foundation founder Barbara Poma says, on the sixth anniversary of the shooting that killed 49 people, this year feels different than the last. Firefighter and RI state Rep. talks trauma, The Derderians are on a 'white-wash tour' in 2021 about The Station fire, says father who lost son, The former salesman for the company where the Derderians bought the deadly insulating foam says the fire destroyed his life. Jeff Derderian: We tried to get as far as we could. Jim Axelrod: If you have a message that you want the people of Rhode Island to hear, there were plenty of ways to get it out long before now. Flames can be seen on the back wall. Karma/Comeuppance, Liars/Scammers, Nightclub, Portugal, Teenagers, Underaged | Right | December 3, 2022. Station fire: He lost his brother but didnt blame the Derderians: The Derderian brothers became pariahs after the fire, ostracized and blamed for the tragedy. We all make mistakes. One near the bar. So, to the people who think we don't own it I'm telling you, we DO own it ok? And I knew the window was to my left. The Derderian brothers were targets of criminal investigations and civil lawsuits. Back in the day, Portuguese nightclubs had an age limit of sixteen. Jody King: He ran in and came out nine times in 90 seconds. Fire safety work goes on: Advocates gather at Station memorial to mark tax law easing cost of sprinklers. Michael Derderian: Correct. Germany. They go for 15 seconds and they go 15 feet into the air. I went over, put my hands against the glass, and I started kicking at that window and it wouldn't break. You know people didn't react instantly. You see on your left the horseshoe-shaped bar. 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]. Eighteen years later, there is no consensus among survivors when it comes to blame. you could not see your hand in front of your face. The gunman, 29-year-old Omar Mateen, was a U.S. citizen born in Queens, New York, to Afghan . Hundreds of people ran to the only exit many of them knew the way they came in. Fire officials say staircase to second floor was made out of wooden pallets. ", "We are now at 65, and that may be higher ", Jeff Derderian: "Can you come in? The Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island, hosted a band, which used unapproved pyrotechnics during the performance. Bullet holes can be seen in the ceilings, walls, mirrors and seat cushions. Michael Derderian: They got this fax and it went on to describe the business practices of the foam company. Back in 1983, Bar Rescue host Jon Taffer helped start the beloved Glen Mills hangout, Pulsations Nightclub a period that he today appears to recall fondly. The brothers say they are still haunted by the events of that horrific night. 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. 60 Minutes did a huge story on him. (crying) So I can't expect anybody else to. That's what the code says. But then the door would go back up when it was going to be a loud night. if he had done that, then he would have obviously have said to us . But that night, leading the cameraman around was bouncer Tracy King, a dedicated husband and father of three young boys. Catch the episode Wednesday night at 8 p.m. on 6abc! 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. We have an exit through the kitchen. Jim Axelrod: Did either of you know anything about running a nightclub? The girl who won received the contract with the doctor and had to give us before-and-after brassieres. The burned remnants of The Station nightclub, after a fire killed 100 people in February 2003. It was a promotion called Thanks for the Mammaries. 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. Jim Axelrod: The brothers say," wait a minute, we ordered sound foam. It had a spaceship that flew into the room and deposited a robot on the dance floor. It was located at the corner of Route 1 and Dougherty Boulevard. Barr was located between the stage and the front door. . Marc Goldbaum is the development producer. Scott James: You have four exits. The Station Nightclub Fire, Rhode Island, 2003. Michael Derderian: Remember, I'm still in Florida. She would not hurt a fly., 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, The deadliest mass shootings in US history, Suspected Pulse nightclub memorial vandal arrested, Vandal in wheelchair sets fire to Pulse nightclub memorial, What timing! Pulsations, of course, had something of a wild run, beginning with the accidental death of a Media woman due to a falling light fixture on opening night in 1983. Biechele and Michael Derderian were sentenced to four years in prison, though each was let out early. Station Fire Memorial Foundation rejects donation from Great White singer: Out of the ashes of the Station fire, tougher building codes arose. A band that was on the platform that night, during its performance, used pyrotechnics that ignited polyurethane foam insulation lining the walls and ceiling of the platform. And then, ever so slowly, he learned to walk again. Many involve pyrotechnic failures. In many communities, the crucial task of inspecting buildings in search of potentially life-threatening fire hazards falls to just one person. The Club Cinq-Sept was a nightclub in south-eastern France just outside the small town of Saint-Laurent-du-Pont, Isre On the night of Sunday, November 1, 1970 a fire started at approximately 1:40 AM, apparently by a carelessly discarded match. I ran across the room and I ran face-first into the wall. 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. How many people died in the station nightclub fire? Converted warehouse used as an art collective and venue. He spent 33 months in prison, while Jeff had to do 500 hours of community service. / CBS News. That's all I can keep seeing in my head. Almost immediately the finger pointing started. They are speaking out about the fire for the first time. You worked at the Pulsations Night Club near Philly which opened with a fatal accident in 1983. WEST WARWICK, R.I. . Jim Axelrod is the chief investigative correspondent and senior national correspondent for CBS News, reporting for "CBS This Morning," "CBS Evening News," "CBS Sunday Morning" and other CBS News broadcasts. Great White was part of the lawsuit. that door being up, there is no question that that increased the likelihood that many, many more would perish. One victim died from stabbing during clashes. Dance & Night Club. But when Warner was called before the grand jury, he was not asked about the allegations he made in the fax. That is the furthest exit away from the stage But it's a relatively straight line. Pulsations was a 15,000-square-foot club. Phil Barr fought to breathe on his own. Two people are jailed in Thailand over a fire in a Bangkok nightclub on New Year's Day 2009 that killed 67 people and injured more than 100. then as it heals, the scarring tightens up. Dan Biechele, center, at his sentencing. About 180 patrons remained inside the nightclub at that time. It was THE spot in the Delaware Valley in the '80s, and tonight "The Goldbergs" recreate the legendary nightclub for Barry's bachelor party. Since I had been there earlier in the night, I knew that there was at least an exit in the back barroom. The Derderians are on a 'white-wash tour' in 2021 about The Station fire, says father who lost son: Over the yearsDave Kanehas had to find a place to storehisoutrage overlosing his18-year-oldson, Nicholas, in The Station nightclub firein 2003. Jim Axelrod: Over the course of the investigation, what did you learn about the way the brothers ran their business? And he says you can. Disco music, then, evolved into rave music. At 15,000 square feet, Pulsations itself featured 10 levels, 11 bars, and 12 VIP hotel rooms. And then the main exit that hallway where everyone came through. And then we've got the pressure from the judge saying you know, you're going to go to jail for 30 years apiece. 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. Linda Saran and Phil Barr, badly injured, were transported to a local hospital. In the days after the fire, victims' families and survivors faced a harsh new reality. It was THE spot in the Delaware Valley in the '80s, and tonight "The Goldbergs" recreate the legendary nightclub for Barry's bachelor party. Super Highly Visible corner location, rare undeveloped find . "24 Reported Dead, 70 Injured In Fire in South Korean Disco", "China holds 31 responsible for disco blaze", "54 Die in Fire at Youth Hangout in South Korea", "Fire Kills 54, Injures 75 at Illegal Bar in S. Korea", "Brazil, Mexico And Other Deadly Nightclub Fires In Latin America", "Ballroom blaze that killed firefighter arson", " "911": - ? "We wanted the full story to come out, not just some of it, and for people who want to come to their own conclusion on what happened that night," says Jeff Derderian. Otherwise second-deadliest club fire in history. The Foam.". Biechele pleaded guilty to 100 counts of misdemeanor manslaughter and was sentenced to four years in prison. I was asked to work the merch table for the band, so I was getting 40 bucks and two T-shirts. Twenty years have passed since the fire at the Station Nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island where 100 people died in and . Michael spent 33 months in prison, while Jeff had to do 500 hours of community service. Kat Teurfs is the associate producer. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch opened an investigation and convened a grand jury to determine if anyone should face criminal charges. For annual late-night Station remembrance, memorial a peaceful, meaningful addition: Station fire memorial nearing completion: Hundreds witness groundbreaking for Station fire memorial: Medical teams met the challenge; everyone who got out survived that night: In firefighters' hearts, the disaster isn't over: Quiet, emotional end for Station fire remnants: RI Hospital specialists, Station fire victims reflect after a decade since deadly blaze: Station fire, 15 years later: Survivors tell their stories: Station nightclub fire survivor tells burn victims love can happen amid scars, fears: Son of Great White guitarist cheers sick children to honor his dad: Gina Russo says she emerged from the flames in a better place: Fused by pain, Station fire survivors, loved ones mark 18th anniversary: Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Michael Derderian: The field test is crystal clear. Linda Saran: My hospital roommate, he and I took turns driving the respiratory therapist crazy in some ways it's almost like being in war together. That happened in 2002. Published 2:29 PM EDT, Thu June 10, 2021. Patrick Lynch: Jeffrey and Michael Derderian. And why wasn't the foam company charged? PennDOT worker remains seriously injured after hit-and-run, Search on for owner of dogs that attacked man while walking pets. Linda Saran: The night of the fire I got in for free. So, it was very quickly they were in the circle of people we should look at. The brothers say there was evidence that the grand jury never heard. He was out there, and he just loved being in the center. The answer is no. into the main barroom. my dad was in the room. The Station nightclub fire, fire on February 20, 2003, that destroyed The Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island, U.S., and killed 100 people. We took shortcuts. "It's hard to describe the level of agony. Jeff Derderian: That door was opened immediately and that's where the band went out. On February 20th, at 11:07 p.m. WEST WARWICK, R.I. . Photos showing the destruction inside of Pulse nightclub have been released. After prison, Biechele rebuilding life in Fla.: How tragedy inspired one member of Great White. The brother's plea deal stated only one of them would go to prison. Patrick Lynch: The defendant had every right to go to trial and say, hey, if it's this mysterious fax that it's trying to be referenced today, 18 years later, hey, this is important. But there is more to be done. This is a company that did little to educate their employees about the limits of polyurethane foam. The fire was sparked by a welding accident on the basement, with most floors of the Dongdu building being dedicated to blue-collar activities, and the nightclub itself being located only on the fourth floor. MICHAEL DERDERIAN: I plead not guilty, your honor. 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. A fire that occurred on the night of February 20, 2003, has been deemed the worst fire tragedy of the 2000s. The brothers sent a fax to the foam company specifically asking for sound foam. "Bar Rescue" host Jon Taffer watches a video feed of unimaginable horrors in a bar. He transformed a bank of rooms in his hotel in Valley Forge into "fantasy suites" to entice weekend visitors. Six months after the fire the state had already started passing updated fire safety regulations in the fall out of the fire, Governor Carcieri signed into law the Comprehensive Fire Safety Act of 2003, a major rewrite of the states fire-safety code. The biggest question was, why had the fire spread so quickly? And, according to the brothers, it was one of the first exits used when the fire started. The Feb. 20, 2003, fire at The Station . 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