Only a shrine remains at the site of the catastrophic nightclub inferno that killed 100 great white fans. A warwick police department report stated at 2308 hours that west warwick police requested police assistance, reporting the nightclub on fire with over 200 people trapped inside or injured. Duval, senior fire investigator, national fire protection association. That night, in the few minutes it takes to play a hardrock standard, the fate of many of the unsuspecting nightclub patrons was determined with awful certainty. Survivors of nightclub fire that killed 100 share stories 15 years later. Harrowing account of the 2003 station nightclub fire in west warwick, ri. West warwick, rhode island, usa history, photos, stories. Even after the smoke cleared, emergency medical teams and ambulance sirens kept wailing throughout that february night. In the 9 years since have we actually learned our lessons from it.
West warwick fire department is located in west warwick, ri. What they encountered haunts them still, much as combat haunts troops. In west warwick firefighters hearts, the disaster isnt. The station nightclub fire, americas deadliest rock concert barylick. Oct 15, 2014 joe kinan suffered third and fourthdegree burns over 40 per cent of his body during the station nightclub fire in rhode island in february 2003 the fire, which claimed 100 lives, was started by. The book, written by john barylick, a veteran providence lawyer who. If you wonder why we need strictly enforced regulations on businesses, read this book.
Report of the technical investigation of the station nightclub fire. Survivors of nightclub fire that killed 100 share stories 15. The station nightclub fire occurred on thursday, february 20, 2003, in west warwick, rhode island, united states, killing 100 people including great white guitarist ty longley and injuring 230. The station nightclub fire, americas deadliest rock concert. The station nightclub fire that killed 100 people and injured hundreds more will never be forgotten by those who were there or lost loved ones by john hill providence journal west warwick, r. Jan 22, 20 the station nightclub, in west warwick, was set alight on feb 20. Patricia reardon murphy, he lived in warwick for most. The station nightclub fire west warwick, ri february 20. See more ideas about night club, the station nightclub fire, station. Nov 16, 2019 travel back in time to west warwick, rhode island, usa.
Survivors of nightclub fire that killed 100 share stories. Fire department please visit the west warwick fire department s home page for additional information at. Multiple ladders were used in the attempt to rescue as many people as possible. Rev tyler, a guitarist for the nowdefunct band, lovin kry, said his band used pyrotechnics at the station, playing there. Rhode islands response to 2003 blaze could be model for. On this day february 20, 2003 the station nightclub. Denis larocque, west warwicks chief fire inspector at the time of the nightclub fire, inspected the station at least twice in the years immediately preceding the blaze. That concept, says jim gahan, just isnt part of the discussion for the families of the 100 people who died in the 2003 station nightclub fire in. The fire was caused by pyrotechnics set off by the tour manager of the evenings headlining band, great white, which ignited flammable acoustic foam in the walls and ceilings surrounding the stage. Foam on clubs walls was decorative packaging the new york. As early as 1922, town leaders recognized the need for a unified fire department. 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. The blaze reached flashover within one minute, causing all combustible materials to burn. The fire was caused by pyrotechnics set off by the tour manager of the evenings headlining band, great white, which ignited flammable acoustic foam in.
The station nightclub fire, west warwick, rhode island. The state is interviewing hundreds of witnesses, including nightclub patrons and employees, to determine how many people were at the west warwick club feb. The national fire protection association of quincy and. West warwick firefighters, west warwick, rhode island. Joe kinan survivor of station nightclub fire welcomes a baby. Station nightclub on the night of a great white concert is one of the major goals of a criminal investigation into the fire that killed 100 people, a state official said. Today marks the 16year anniversary of the station nightclub fire, which killed 100 people. Warwick fire s engine 9 crew bringing a dog to safety at a west warwick house fire. The fire was caused by pyrotechnics set off by the tour manager of the evenings headlining band great white, which ignited plastic foam used as sound insulation in the walls and. Warwick, ri, on february 20, 2003, claimed 100 lives. Station fire memorial foundation 78 wilbur avenue cranston, ri 02920. On february 20th 2003 one of the deadliest fires in the history of our country occurs in west warwick rhode island.
On february 17, 2003 someone discharged pepper spray to break up a fistfight in a chicago nightclub. It was one of the deadliest disasters in the history of new england. For some local station nightclub fire survivors, the scars. Rob borkowski a crowd of about 80 gathered monday at 1 p. Public safety and protection of property is of prime importance to the department. Below is video detailing the events of the incident. Months after the fire, consultants from the office of domestic preparedness, under the u.
West warwick was incorporated in 19, making it the youngest town in the state. After the fire, nfpa enacted tough new code provisions for fire sprinklers and crowd management in nightclub type venues. The fire was caused by pyrotechnics set off by the tour manager of the evenings headlining band great white, which ignited plastic foam used as sound insulation in the walls and ceilings surrounding the stage. The building of the station nightclub was constructed in approximately 1946. Scenes from the station nightclub fire caption on feb. Ap rhode island is marking the 15th anniversary of a nightclub fire that killed 100 people and injured more than 200 others. Foam on clubs walls was decorative packaging the new. Station fire memorial park west warwick, rhode island.
Read unlimited books and audiobooks on the web, ipad, iphone and android. Mar 01, 2003 kathleen hagerty, lawyer for owners of station nightclub west warwick, ri, where fire killed 97 people, and aram dermanouelian, president of american foam corp, say foam insulation glued to. Killer show chronicles the station nightclub fire in rhode island that claimed. Kathleen hagerty, lawyer for owners of station nightclub west warwick, ri, where fire killed 97 people, and aram dermanouelian, president of. There is 1 fire department per 1,360 people, and 1 fire department per square mile in new york, warwick is ranked 911st of 2100 cities in fire departments per capita, and 665th of 2100 cities in fire departments per square mile.
A band that was performing that night used pyrotechnics that ignited polyurethane foam insulation lining the walls and ceiling of the stage platform. Fire investigators say station nightclub blaze turned. View a fire dept photo, logo, contact info, map, volunteer info, mission statement, fire equipment, firefighters and statistics. Occupational safety and health in the emergency services by james s. Pyrotechnics for great white, a rock band, started the fire at a nightclub called the station. Today marks the 14th anniversary of the station nightclub fire. To connect with the station nightclub fire, log in or create an account. Learn about the people who lived in west warwick, rhode island, usa through stories, old newspaper articles, pictures and genealogy. Prior to 19, the town, situated on the western bank of the pawtuxet river, was the population and industrial center of the larger town of warwick. Feb 22, 2003 raging fire at rock concert rips through nightclub in west warwick, ri, leaving at least 96 people dead and 187 injured.
The fire department was notified about 40 seconds after the fire was ignited and. The station nightclub in west warwick, rhode island. February 20, 2009 is the sixth anniversary of the fire at the station nightclub. The station nightclub fire west warwick, ri february. During the overhaul of the fire, they made the grisly. It took just minutes for the 2003 nightmare at the station nightclub in west warwick, r. The story of the fire, its causes and its legal and human aftermath is captured in killer show.
Department of homeland security, came to west warwick to. Sometimes, pyrotechnics were used inside the station on nights the derderians hired west warwick fire details to help cope with big crowds. Panel keeps current sprinkler regulations for nightclubs the station nightclub fire scene in west warwick. Fire department please visit the west warwick fire departments home page for additional information at. Old photos, pictures, advertisements and postcards from west warwick, rhode island, usa.
Jun 08, 2003 sometimes, pyrotechnics were used inside the station on nights the derderians hired west warwick fire details to help cope with big crowds. Nightclubsfires and fire preventionrhode islandwest warwick. Wfd shows off potowomut fire station at grand opening. The station nightclub fire, americas deadliest rock concert university press of new england.
The station nightclub fire was the fourthdeadliest nightclub fire in u. Hardcover, the first comprehensive exploration of the chain events. Est, on thursday, february 20, 2003, at the station, a glam metal and rock and rollthemed nightclub located at 211 cowesett avenue in west warwick, rhode island. The west warwick fire department currently operates from four stations located throughout the town and employs 73 fulltime employees who man 4 engines, 1 ladder, 2 rescues and 1 special hazards unit. The blaze was rhode islands most devastating fire in decades and the fourthdeadliest nightclub fire in u. The station nightclub fire, rhode island, 2003 a fire occurred on the night of feb. See more ideas about the station nightclub fire, night club and fire. National fire service behavioral health symposium presenters. A band that was performing that night used pyrotechnics that ignited polyurethane foam. Aug 20, 2008 posts tagged rhode island station nightclub fire station nightclub fire. She wrote a book, meets with burn victims, talks to fire departments and fire.
The fire fighters of the west warwick fire department pledge to our citizens to provide the highest level of emergency response 24. The rights of the town of west warwick and employees shall be respected and provisions of the agreement shall be observed for the orderly settlement of all questions. On february 20, 2003, in west warwick, rhode island, the fourth deadliest nightclub fire in united states history occurred in the station nightclub. It was a scene of unspeakable horror, the fourthdeadliest nightclub fire in the nations history, and in the realm of rhode island disasters second only to the hurricane of 1938. Those provisions mark sweeping changes to the codes and standards governing safety in assembly occupancies. When the fire started at the station nightclub in west warwick, rhode island, the venue was 100 people over capacity, but even the legal number was based on a bogus standingroom formula, seligson, 20. Learning from the station nightclub fire firefighter nation. The emotional impact on the responding firefighters continues. Discover station fire memorial park in west warwick, rhode island. After responding mutual aid to the station nightclub fire in west warwick, ri in 2003, he worked within his local union to develop a peer driven, union run assistance. The station nightclub fire west warwick, rhode island. The west warwick fire department currently operates from four stations located throughout the town and employs 73 full time employees who man 4 engines, 1 ladder, 2 rescues and 1 special hazards unit. Hardcover, the first comprehensive exploration of the chain. There are 5 fire departments in warwick, new york, serving a population of 6,801 people in an area of 3 square miles.
Warwick, ri the potowomut fire station the neighborhoods only municipal building officially started operations this morning at 8 a. Scenes from the station nightclub fire the boston globe. February 20 the station nightclub fire in west warwick, rhode island, claims the lives. West warwick is a town in kent county, rhode island, united states. Report of the technical investigation of the station. The station nightclub fire, americas deadliest rock. The station nightclub fire occurred on thursday, february 20, 2003, in west warwick, rhode island. Roland coutu obituary west warwick, ri the providence. The men and women of the warwick fire department pledge to the citizens of this city to provide the highest level of emergency services to mitigate incidents which arise from fire, medical, hazardous material or environmental mishaps either on land or water. Many restorations and repairs were made to the building since the time of construction by different owners to fulfill their business needs. New settlement in 2003 nightclub fire the new york times. Warwick fires engine 9 crew bringing a dog to safety at a west warwick house fire.
Nightclub firemci, west warwick ri firehouse forums. On february 20, 2003, the deadliest rock concert in u. Attorney general patrick lynch has given two principal excuses for his refusal to prosecute denis larocque, the man who repeatedly inspected the station nightclub in his capacity as a west warwick fire inspector. Rev tyler, a guitarist for the nowdefunct band, lovin kry, said his band used pyrotechnics at the station, playing there 10 or 15 times between 1998 and april 27, 2000. In the aftermath, west warwick, rhode island tv news reporter jeff derderian wanted to run a story on nightclub safety. As the result of several influential fires beverly hills supper club, coconut grove night club, and rhythm night club the creation of better fire protection. The scars on john fairbairns body have faded during the 10 years since he suffered severe burns in the station nightclub fire in west warwick, r. I just finished reading this book it was an eye opening experience. The station nightclub fire occurred on thursday, february 20, 2003, in west warwick, rhode. He served as the lead investigator for the west warwick police department in the 2003 station nightclub fire that claimed over 100 lives and was assigned to.
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