Jeff Derderian: We feel a sense of guilt about what happened in the sense that you carry the guilt of knowing that these people aren't here anymore, and these people are hurt for the rest of their life. And why wasn't the foam company charged? Since The Station fire, many states have adopted stricter fire prevention codes. 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. Things that bring back memories of that night we try to stay away from. PATRICK LYNCH [press conference]: We have an investigation on going and we need help, we need answers and I'm trying to get them. undisputable. Jim Axelrod: If the brothers are relying on the fire marshal to tell them whether or not they can continue to do business. It was liquid fire. [97] Russell raised about $180 from the concert, but the Memorial Foundation refused the donation, a decision supported by Kendall. Mon, February 20th 2023, 8:29 PM PST. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. [tearing up] "What a great brother you have. [4] The nightclub was purchased by brothers Michael and Jeffrey Derderian in March 2000. 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. 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. Patrick Lynch: Looking back on it I would say they ran it as a side business, an attempt to maybe make some extra money with the callous, utter disregard for those that work there and assemble there. As a result of this and other similar incidents, fire chiefs, fire marshals and inspectors require trained crowd managers to comply with the International Fire Code, NFPA-101 Life Safety Code, NFPA-1 Fire Code and many local ordinances that address safety in public-assembly occupancies. He had an unlikely friend rooting for him. But does that mean it's not a crime? But their plans for the future would suddenly change. Jeff Derderian: Because in my mind I had nothing to hide. Why had the fire spread so quickly? At the time of The Station fire, older clubs in Rhode Island weren't required to install sprinklers. 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. Linda Saran: The foam was raining down and the flames are dripping from the ceiling. It looked like it was raining black fire. Michael Derderian: They got this fax and it went on to describe the business practices of the foam company. "[55] Biechele was released in March 2008. 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. [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. [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. [103], Inspired by the fire, the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act has been proposed United States Senate and House of Representatives since 2003. It was the fourth deadliest fire in a nightclub in US history. It justit was so fast. This is solid gasoline. But he didn't know what. And people stood and watched it, and some people backed off. In February 2008, Providence television station. Access remains open to the public, and memorial services are held each February 20. 2003 deadly fire at a rock concert in West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA, Great White, Jack Russell, and Mark Kendall, National Institute of Standards and Technology, "The Station nightclub fire 10 years later: Healing continues as West Warwick, Rhode Island, takes next step in recovery", "The Station Fire: Timeline of a tragedy", "Station tragedy leads to tougher fire code", "Report of the Technical Investigation of The Station Nightclub Fire (NIST NCSTAR 2), Volume 1", "Beyond grief: Trying to make sense out of the Station tragedy", "Tragedy Catches Up to a Metal Band Past Its Prime", "Great White Fireworks Set Off a Controversy", "The Station nightclub fire: What happened and who's to blame for disaster that killed 100? "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. That's what the code says. Linda Saran: I said, "you know what? America's Deadliest Rock Concert: The Guest List explores the Station nightclub fire through gripping survivor accounts and family members and friends of victims who have memorialized their loss through pursuits ranging from an exhibit of commemorative body art to re-immersion in the rock culture that initially brought them and their loved ones Jeffrey Derderian received 500 hours of community service. That night, he allowed a cameraman to shoot footage inside the club for an upcoming story about safety in public venues. "[91], Two years to the day after the fire, band members Russell and Kendall, along with Great White's attorney, Ed McPherson, appeared on CNN's Larry King Live with three survivors of the fire and the father of Longley, to discuss how their lives had changed since the incident. [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. [39], At the scene of the fire, Butler gave this account of the tragedy:[41]. [3] A fire had previously occurred at the building in 1972 while it was used as a restaurant called Julio's. Isn't that an important fact in determining who's at fault? [48] Some victims' families criticized the 48 Hours segment and the Derderians' involvement. Jody King: Hopped out of bed, grabbed my clothes, grabbed my keys, hopped in the car and took off. It is the fourth-deadliest nightclub fire in U.S. history. ", "Fire in a nightclub: the band; group persevered by making circuit of smaller clubs", "How tragedy inspired one member of Great White", "Rhode Island Remembers Victims Of Deadly GREAT WHITE Concert Fire", "Club, band dispute permission to use fireworks - Feb. 22, 2003", "Memories sear survivor of fire that killed 100 in 2003", "Parents mourn loss of only child in nightclub fire, but cherish time they had after first near-death experience", "Radio station to remain in fire lawsuits", "Clear Channel agrees to pay $22 million to nightclub fire victims", "Portraits of people who died in the R.I. nightclub fire", "Timeline: What happened the night of the Station nightclub fire? Biechele. Also outside was club owner Jeff Derderian. He trusted the owners. They didn't even let him talk about it. Jim Axelrod: Did either of you know anything about running a nightclub? Within six minutes, the entire building was engulfed in flames. Two decades after 100 people were killed in the West Warwick, R.I. fire, those affected by the incident are reflecting on that tragic night. And settled for $1 million. Linda Saran was a regular at The Station. The Guest List is based in part on John Barylick's narrative non-fiction work, killer show, the station nightclub fire, America's deadliest rock concert. In the days after the fire, victims' families and survivors faced a harsh new reality. [90] The band initially retired "Desert Moon", the song they were performing when the fire began, from their concert set list. some bleeding I could notice in my throat. At the time of the fire, he had just started a new job closer to home in Providence at the local CBS station. Warner lived next to The Station and had met the brothers. [98], 41, a documentary about Nicholas O'Neill, the youngest victim of the fire, was screened at Rhode Island theaters in 2008. It was like what? As were going down the stairs to get into the comedy club, in the heart of Times Square, the first thought that goes through my mind: I come back and look and go: Are there two exits down there? she said. Marc Goldbaum is the development producer. [49] In 2013, Kendall told The Providence Journal that he maintained amicable contact with some survivors, victims' families, and the Station Fire Memorial Foundation. The four exits inside The Station: "There's an exit near the stage an exit through the kitchen. Jim Axelrod: Does this mean you feel a sense of responsibility? On May 10, 2006, State Prosecutor Randall White asked that Biechele be sentenced to ten years in prison, the maximum allowed under the plea bargain, citing the massive loss of life in the fire and the need to send a message. [86][87] The memorial dedication ceremony took place on May 21, 2017. Vanner has no excuses. "Taking responsibility for your actions goes a long way," she says. I had no control over my muscles. Those who were trapped inside The Station when the flames started knew they needed to get out fast. Nightclub Fire", "3 indicted in R.I. rock concert fire - UPI Archives", "The Derderians are on a 'white-wash tour' about The Station fire, says father who lost son", "The strange and terrible true story of Great White, and the Station nightclub fire", "3 Men Are Indicted in Fire At Rhode Island Nightclub", "Foam company offers Station nightclub fire plaintiffs $6.3M settlement", "DAN BIECHELE SPEAKS Pre-Sentencing Statement GREAT WHITE TOUR MANAGER Station Nightclub Fire RI", "Fury, Tears and 4-Year Term in Deadly Blaze", "Band manager who ignited deadly Rhode Island nightclub fire freed from prison", "Manager Sentenced for Rhode Island Nightclub Fire", "Many families of Station fire victims supporting parole for band manager", "Band manager who ignited R.I. club fire is freed", "After prison, Biechele rebuilding life in Fla", "Derderians will plead; AG says he opposes sentencing deal", "2 Brothers to Plead No Contest in R.I. Tracy King died saving many others the night of the fire. But it's fun. I've been after this bike for over 4 years and I finally got the call! The company paid a hefty settlement and they weren't the only ones. Biechele and Michael Derderian went to prison. That evening she had a girl's night out with a friend while her young daughter was at a sleepover. I'll be right back." The tragedy, she said, heightened her appreciation of the life she was allowed, for whatever reason, to continue. Jeff Derderian: That door was meant to block the noise from the neighbors. And that's when I noticed the black on my arms. I never imagined that anyone ever would be. It had to end, for me and it ended in the most beautiful way.. But never once do they say, "we screwed up." : In 2021, 48 Hours described the total civil payments to the victims and families as $176 million. 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. A California woman who had been injured in an accident and hadnt left her house in five years wrote her, she said. Club owners Jeffrey and Michael Derderian reached a settlement of $813,000 with survivors and victims' families in September 2008. Jim Axelrod: Over the course of the investigation, what did you learn about the way the brothers ran their business? She spoke with the Globe about Jefferey and Michael Derderian, the . She said she went into the club that night a naive, fun-loving 27-year-old and came out angry and feeling guilty. . The brothers decided that because Jeff had young kids, Michael would go. It seems like yesterday We were going to get married in June and she passed away in February, Cain told CBS. Jeff called his brother Michael who was in Florida. Linda Saran: I could have missed it all. Barr, who was in his junior year, had dreams of a career on Wall Street and swam competitively for his college swim team. She endured more than 50 operations. Great White's tour manager Daniel Biechele also faced the same charges. [30] Longley reportedly died after returning to the building to retrieve his guitar. Follow Boston.com on Instagram (Opens in a New Tab), Follow Boston.com on Twitter (Opens in a New Tab), Like Boston.com on Facebook (Opens in a New Tab), R.I. State House homeless encampment removed after legal fight, After the 80th anniversary of the tragic fire, a Cocoanut Grove memorial is coming to Boston, This affordable airline says it will bring at least 20 routes to an R.I. airport. In an exclusive interview with "48 Hours" contributor Jim Axelrod, the Derderians said they wanted to set the record straight and reveal new information about that foam and accountability. He says he managed to escape through the front door before a stampede of people got stuck in the narrow hallway and blocked the exit. Barr was located between the stage and the front door. charter boats for scattering ashes, monty williams daughter, the rookie bradford and rachel,