Rhode Island Club Fire

[Ksyrup]

At a concert for Great White, no less. According to Jack Russell, Great White's signer, Mark Kendall, the guitarist, is still unaccounted for.

Regardless, it's a tragedy for the families of everyone who didn't make it out.

I've got to wonder, if this is a typical small club, why were they using pyrotechnics? I don't ever think I've seen a club show with fire on stage.

[Eilim]

The pyrotechnics are the current hot topic of debate. Band says the club said it was alright, but the Fire marshal is saying the club didn't have the needed permits or licenses.

Living in Mass. and being a fan of 80's hair bands (I can't help it, I'm a product of my times. ) I was asked by a couple friends to go to the show. Luckily, Great White is one of the bands I never liked and turned down the offer. Still waiting on news from my two friends.

Was a bit jarring being woken up this morning by a phone call from my hysterical mother as she thought I had gone. :(

[Ksyrup]

Wow. That hits even closer to home. I'm the same way - graduated high school in 1989. I doubt I would have gone to see them, though. I heard yesterday that they are (were?) supposed to go on a summer club tour with Lynch Mob, LA Guns, and King's X. I'd be at that one for KX alone.

As an update, I just heard that it's not Kendall, but the other guitarist. Still...

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally posted by Ksyrup
At a concert for Great White, no less. According to Jack Russell, Great White's signer, Mark Kendall, the guitarist, is still unaccounted for.


" Russell said one of his band members, guitarist Ty Longley, was among the missing."
AP story (http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/news/breaking_news/5228801.htm)

[Draft Dodger]

wow, that is just awful

[Ksyrup]

Originally posted by JonInMiddleGA
" Russell said one of his band members, guitarist Ty Longley, was among the missing."
AP story (http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/news/breaking_news/5228801.htm)

Yeah, they changed the story after they got more information. Bad news either way, of course. But Kendall was the better known, some I'm guessing that's how his name came up first.

[rkmsuf]

The video was pretty horrific. They had been filming the show inside when you see the whole stage catch on fire. The news said it took 2 minutes for the whole place to go up...

[Craptacular]

Originally posted by Eilim
T
I was asked by a couple friends to go to the show. Luckily, Great White is one of the bands I never liked and turned down the offer. Still waiting on news from my two friends.


I hope you hear good news from them.

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

I pray for the safety of the unaccounted for and for peace for the family of the lost .

[Craptacular]

If anyone wants to see the video shot of the concert from inside, download the following:

http://www.wpri.com/artman/publish/newwpri/video/cubfire1.wmv

The actual video from inside starts at about 2:20 into the clip.

[Swaggs]

Very sad news.

[JonInMiddleGA]

from AP, 12:15pm Friday

-- A nightclub erupted in a raging fire during a pyrotechnics display at a rock concert, killing at least 65 people and injuring more than 160 others as frantic mobs rushed to escape.

The death toll rose Friday as firefighters searched through the charred shell of the one-story wood building. Town Manager Wolfgang Bauer said the number of dead had reached 65 by midday.

"They are still pulling bodies out," Gov. Don Carcieri said after rushing back to the state from a conference in Florida.

[CamEdwards]

This was horrible. At least 86 people dead in nightclubs this week.

I'm just numb from seeing and hearing this for three hours this morning. One of the jocks from our sister station in Providence is among the missing. One of our reporters talked with the Assistant Program Director there... they're all just shellshocked.

[Ksyrup]

One of the things I've been thinking is how many people like me - 30's/40's, married, with kids - were in that crowd. I'm sure that was the largest segment of the people in that crowd, considering GW was popular in the mid-late 80's. Some probably had kids with babysitters or wives/kids at home. Just horrible.

This should be a reminder to be aware of emergency exits where ever you go. That place had 4 fire exits that no one used.

[GoldenEagle]

Wow that is just awful. You here about this happening in Japan and elsewhere, but it dosent hit home until it happens in the US. Truly a sad event.

[Kodos]

This is pretty horrible.

[HornedFrog Purple]

The thing about the clubs in general is they blatantly ignore fire codes and allow more people in than their official capacity. I cant speak for Rhode Island but we honestly do not have the manpower to keep these clubs in check. :(

[JonInMiddleGA]

from AP (via ajc.com)

Town Manager Wolfgang Bauer said the number of dead had reached 85 by Friday afternoon.

"They are still pulling bodies out," Gov. Don Carcieri said after rushing back to the state from a Florida vacation. "This building went up fast -- nobody had a chan

[jander]

This is not good, I feel bad for all involved. I have been watching this on the news channels, the count last I saw has grown to 75. I dont know what to think, the band says they got the ok from the club and the club says they were never asked. I dont know, but to me...I find it hard to believe the band would shoot them off without the ok, but who knows.

[jander]

Wow, just saw the post, must have been typing mine...now reashed 85? Hope they are nearing the end of the count...

[heybrad]

In another article a different club has come forward and said that Great White shot off fireworks in their club without permission.

[Daimyo]

Wow... we just had 21 people die in a night club in Chicago earlier this week.... :(

[Qwikshot]

This is a terrible terrible tragedy, but I have to ask, when you are crammed in a small club venue, how can you have pyrotechnics tougher than sparklers??? I mean, I can see it at outdoor venues, or very large ones, but how can you do it at a small club...the govenor was right "it didn't need to happen."

[GoldenEagle]

I just saw the clip and I can't believe people made it out. The whole building went up into flames very quickly. Not trying to point the finger, but who would shoot fireworks in a wet (from the snow), wodden building?

[GoldenEagle]

Originally posted by GoldenEagle
I just saw the clip and I can't believe people made it out. The whole building went up into flames very quickly. Not trying to point the finger, but who would shoot fireworks in a wet (from the snow), wooden building?

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

A thing to be aware when in nightclubsand other places:
Be aware of surroundings and always position yourself near exits and such .

[JeeberD]

Wow, this is the first I've heard of this. Terrible, terrible news. I could imagine my brother, sister, and many of their friends being in the crowd if it had happened in the southwest. Eilim, I hope you hear from your friends soon.

:( :( :( :(

[wbonnell]

How the hell did the band get out? A back door?

[Ksyrup]

I'll echo the thought that I don't understand what the hell a band playing to 250-300 people needs pyrotechnics for. reliving the glory years when they used to fill arenas? I've been to numerous shows in small to moderately-sized clubs, and I don't recall any band ever using fire on stage.

Pretty damn stupid and unnecessary. When you're playing to 250 people, it ain't the bright lights that's gonna wow 'em, it's the music.

[Ksyrup]

Originally posted by wbonnell
How the hell did the band get out? A back door?

The band apparently jumped off of the stage and ran out the front door like the rest of the survivors. Unless something's changed, I think one band member did not make it, though.

[ice4277]

If you watch the news footage, you can see the band in the background jumping off the stage as the flames started to spread towards them. Pretty crazy stuff.

[clintl]

It's astonishing that a band would even consider using pyrotechnics in a venue that small.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally posted by clintl
It's astonishing that a band would even consider using pyrotechnics in a venue that small.

I don't know, judging from the "sparkler pyro" that they appear to have been in the stills & short clips I've seen so far, this looked like the same set-up I've seen many times in small clubs. Last couple of "intimate settings" I've been to used pretty much the exact same stuff.

BTW, I'm not offering judgement on the wisdom/folly of using them, I'm just saying that it looks like S.O.P. for the few club shows I've been to in the past couple of years.

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

Watching the footage I can't help but wonder if any of those filmed are still alive .

[Ksyrup]

I'm sure, just by sheer luck, a number of them are alive.

Human nature being what it is, it didn't take long for the jokes to start, as I've read the following on a few different bulletin boards/newsgroups:

"Once burned twice fried"

"The real tragedy is that someone would go see Great White"

"The fire started during GW's cover of Burning Down the House"

Ordinarily, I'd take solace in these jokes as a coping mechanism. However, having just seen a concert at a venue that barely held 300 people less than 3 weeks ago, it has hit a bit too close to home this time.

[Leonidas]

Just awful.

Since I finally grew up and had kids I don't go to these things anymore. But not so long ago I went to many shows just like this and never even thought about such things at the time. Looking back now I can think of several clubs I saw shows at that could very easily have had the same fate. The luck of the draw I guess.

[Swaggs]

I bet Great White's attorney is pleased that their lead singer has been all over every TV station giving interviews about the liability. There are going to be some major, major criminal and civil suits brought up against the club, and I imagine, the band as well.

[JPhillips]

Does it bother anyone else that Russell is spending most of his time trying to justify the pyro and very little trying to console the families of those lost and injured? His immediate jump to self defense has given me a really bad impression. He looks like just another fat ex-star that can't come to terms with the fact that the world doesn't always revolve around him. I pray for the guitarist, but the band can get whatever punishment that may be coming.

[Eilim]

As much as I hate to speculate on something like this. When it first happened one of the local tv crews caught him for an interview I was put off how he immediately started placing blame on the club.

What made it even more awkward is mixed in with him laying blame he gave what seemed like a hearfelt apology to the families of those involved ( It atleast appeared hearfelt to me, because he was visibly shaking and looked bordering on tears and it just didn't seem staged.) Which then was immediately followed by a phrase like "Not that I'm saying its our fault.." and went off on some complete other topic. It just seemed very weird, I don't know how to explain it but between his facial expression and manners something just struck me as being *wrong* with what he was saying and the way he was saying it after what seemed like a sincere apology.

But, that really is nothing.. Who knows how I'd react put in a similar situation. I'd probably be in the corner blubbering like a child, or possibly taking mad swings at any news or cameraman to come near me. I'll just wait untill all the investigators are done with their jobs before I decide where to place my loathing and disgust. Any posturing done now is orchestrated by lawyers behind the scenes and I expected it. We're dealing with 96 lost lives and possibly 96 counts of criminaly negligent homicide.

Oh, and for those who expressed concern. My two friends are ok. They both had to go to the hospital but were soon released after being treating for minor cuts and bruises.

[Craptacular]

Originally posted by Eilim

Oh, and for those who expressed concern. My two friends are ok. They both had to go to the hospital but were soon released after being treating for minor cuts and bruises.

That's good news to hear. :) Glad they are OK.

[mrushh]

Eilim, tell your friends we were praying/pulling (depending on one's persuasion in that area) for them, as well as all the other families with missing relatives and friends.

[JeeberD]

TheSmokingGun.com (http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/greatwhite1.html) has the rider for Great White and there is absolutly no mention of pyrotechnics in it...

Just an FYI...

[Tekneek]

Originally posted by JeeberD
TheSmokingGun.com (http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/greatwhite1.html) has the rider for Great White and there is absolutly no mention of pyrotechnics in it...

Just an FYI...

Most of the reports I've seen said that 'verbal permission' was given for the pyrotechnics. This dispute will probably not be resolved quickly or easily. Whoever loses, will lose BIG.

[GrantDawg]

Originally posted by Tekneek
Most of the reports I've seen said that 'verbal permission' was given for the pyrotechnics. This dispute will probably not be resolved quickly or easily. Whoever loses, will lose BIG.

I'm not a lawyer, but I would say both parties are going to lose big. Of course the venue owner's insurance will lose the biggest part.

[stevew]

bump, some crazy pictures from this fire, i think these are relatively new.

http://www.projo.com/extra/2003/stationfire/slideshows/20070128_station_fire_photos/

http://www.projo.com/extra/2003/stationfire/slideshows/20070128_station_fire_photos/images/04.jpg

[KevinNU7]

projo.com is the Providence Journal (newspaper). I think it's safe to http

[Mike D]

I give props to the firemen that arrived on the scene just 5 minutes after the initial fire started. Obviously it wasn't enough time in this situation, but still seems pretty fast.

[Ramzavail]

still amazing to me.

I knew a person who died in that fire, still devastated about that night.

[stevew]

I believe my dad knew one of the guys that was playing w/ great white as an acquaintance through local 5k/10k races. Which, if my google search is correct, would mean that the guy was also a porn star. kind of a funny detail.