The Station Fire: 20 Years Later
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- čas přidán 20. 02. 2023
- A fire swept through The Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island, on Feb. 20, 2003. One hundred people were killed, and at least twice that many were injured.
The painful memories remain, but with the passage of time the emotional scars are healing.
NBC 10 News presents "The Station Fire: 20 Years Later."
turnto10.com/news/the-station...
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The bouncer who wouldn't let people out the door should have been charged with at least manslaughter and long jail time.
They would have.. but there were a few and nobody could penpoint which one it was and none of them ever came forward admitting it. One or two died also I believe.
I don't know how they could live with themselves if he is in fact alive. I know one bouncer died going back in helping people.. and that don't sound like the one .. but rather the one that did survive. I'd like to see him questioned on video just to see what all he'd say, and if you can see any guilt? If he's even still alive today that is..
If he's still alive and has any kind of a conscience he would man up and come forward. Several commenters on other posts have said he died of cancer five years after the fire.
@@muffs55mercury61 Good -- thanks for the update, Muffs.
That one bouncer was a good soul. RIP
I was driving to work the morning after the fire and was listening to a news radio station in Boston. Every time they updated the story the death toll kept getting higher. When I saw it on TV and realized that they had put blue tarps over the front doors to hide the bodies piled up I cried.
I was in there that night, to this day I have no idea how I got out. I have never been in a bar since.
Sending you love, healing, and comfort. I’m so sorry for all you’ve endured and those that perished and their families, loved ones and friends. My heart hurts deeply for everyone that was there that night. 😢
Thinking of you for tomorrow’s anniversary.
Glad you made it out
I'm so sorry!!!!! I hope you are doing well. God bless the victims and their families
I can't imagine how terrifying that must have been. Have you ever heard of emdr therapy? It's pretty amazing. It's really hard I did do it myself. It takes the edge off of all things related or not. Sending 🖤
December 26, 2002...I stood to the right of the stage in what was the dressing room. My buddy's band Purple Onion played with two other bands...Optic Lock and a band who's name escapes me. I looked at Shawn and said this dressing room is aged and dry wood. If there is ever a fire this room will go quickly. Not my exact words but two months later words that would haunt me forever.
I had been there once a few years before....never went back...got a bad feeling being crowded in there....old and too small for pyro and so many people. Bless all affected.
I am sorry. It is a kind of survivor guilt. It is not your fault. You have no crystal ball. I’m glad you’re here. 🌱
A basic sprinkler system would have saved many lives
It could possibly have saved all of their lives.
@@karenladd1110 Would it have? This was such a unique and extreme case, the building being so flammable and it had more problems than just that. Lets say the sprinklers start up right away, it would have stopped the intensity of the flames and given people time to leave the building, but even that wouldn't have stopped the fire completely. And I think people would have still jammed eachother up in the doorway unfortunately.
It's very sad. Common sense and someone stepping back looking at the situation and saying "this is not a good idea" would have saved everyone's life that evening. A completely preventable tragedy.
It wasn't until this event that I truly understood how dangerous a fire could be. Now I stand at the back of large events, know where the exits are. I went to a NYE event in London a couple of years after. At midnight they had indoor fireworks. A small flame licked up on the roof. I notified the bar staff and a bouncer, got my friends and made our way to the exit. Luckily it petered out and nothing occurred. But having this in my mind I was taking no chances.
Same here. I remember watching the footage of the fire for the very first time, and being utterly horrified.
Every concert or crowded indoor event I've attended since, the thought of The Station fire crosses my mind.
it s a dificult choice. if u stand closer to the exit u risk getting attacked first by terorist who may break in to shoot. its a hard choice
Why on Earth would anyone have indoor pyro considering how many examples we have of It going wrong. If someone suggests indoor pyrotechnics then the answer should be no and stfu
The firework ember won't start shingles on fire, it's overrated what really burns is under the shingles and wind, hence Maui fires etc
Same here.
Pam's parents are amazing. To experience such a loss is unbelievable but for them to know one day they will be reunited with their daughter is an inspiration. I wish them peace and comfort.
Joe shows such incredible resolve. I can't even begin to fathom his strength and outlook!
Made me tear up 😢 I could never..
I was in a night club here in Auckland, New Zealand and was watching the band Rammstein they were doing a set in preparation for The Big Day Out. The second i saw pyrotechnics go off , i was thinking this is not good and moved to beyond the bar getting ready to run out the doors. Thank goodness nothing happened, but being a work fire officer put me on high alert. My first thought was the Coconut club fire.
Rammstein has never had an accident. Their singer is a trained pyrotechnition. They're stage show is a very big part of their act. The Station was missing sprinklers, had flammable foam on the walls and had very much over capacity in the club. The one bouncer also blocked people from leaving by the side door. There were a lot of mistakes there.
I lost my mum at 8yrs of age. I can relate to her loss. Its something that never leaves you.
That guy Joe is one hell of a strong person not a lot of people can pick up the pieces and keep going
My friend Scott also died there 😢😢😢 still miss him am so very much sorry for you all. God bless you ❤❤❤
Very sorry.
I am sorry, I lost an uncle during this tragedy
I never understood how dangerous fire really can be until I became a firefighter. I’ve seen the video and the sheer speed in which that fire spread was unreal. We do a drill at the academy where they put you in a confined trailer and light a fire, so you can see its behavior as it grows and when the instructors change the environment (Ex: open the door to let oxygen in). That drill is the most dangerous in the academy and usually produces minor injuries a few times a year. It’s hot as hell in there. I cannot imagine how terrifying that would be while stuck in a group of people without control or firefighting gear. One of the worst ways to die
What gets me is that this club wasn't all that big. I would have thought it would have been easier to escape somehow since there were other exits that people in there had to know about. Awfully sad for so many of these victims. I live in Connecticut and I went with my mother to the memorial back in May and we are gong to visit there again this week.
@@auntiechercher4266 Most people leave a location via the way they came in. It's just a natural tendency. Regardless of the number of exits, known or unknown by the patrons, their natural tendency would have been to flee via the door they entered, which unfortunately became a bottleneck, jammed with bodies and no escape, and within 90 seconds of the fire starting.
@@auntiechercher4266yeah fight or fight instincts you don’t think things through like that
As a fire fighter too I'm sadly more aware of the affect a fire can have on a human being, it can be a quick death Co2 poisoning 1 to 3 min or prolonged in agony this is determined by so many variables, from the materials in the structure as mentioned by survivors one is the "black rain" melting ceiling foam and dozens more paint, furniture, fixtures, fittings, carpets , toxic gases from every thing in the structure burning at different stages of combustion and sadly the human body affect .... Yes! Its awful to die this way but far worse to survive and suffer a life time legacy both physically & mentally
It's worthwhile looking at a gas grill oven, when you light it up. The entire gas head catches alight in half a second: woooosh! And that is a miniature flashover event. It gives you a visual reference for how fast it happens, when you don't have he privilege of training as a fire fighter.
I believe it is vitally important for people to gain a visual reference of how fast a structural fire can move. Because with that knowledge comes respect for the danger. Most people are lucky enough never to experience it, and their only understanding of fire comes from camping or house heating. Wild uncontrolled fire is so different, it deserves a completely different name.
I don't live in America. I live in the Uk but I somehow found out about this fire many years ago. I saw the ''Brian Butler'' video on youtube of the band great white starting their song desert moon and setting off pyrotechnics in a very confined space. You see two lines of fire going up the wall and within minutes the fire is out of control. It was one of the most haunting things I've ever seen. To see how fast a fire can spread and to truly understand the true danger and power of fire I remember the Station fire and also the Bradford city stadium fire in the UK in 1985. Both fires were out of control in minutes with huge loss of life.
The Bradford stadium fire, was bad. I can still remember that event, on the news. Even that long ago, and here in, the United States😔…………
It’s really nice to see the people who have recovered and feel that life is still worth living.
Especially for WJAR Channel 10, this was the finest hour in Providence television history.
And I say that because the coverage of the fire and its aftermath was outstanding.
Not for WPRI they killed people and settled out of court
@@LifeVirus1289 I've seen the Butler tape and it has to be one of the most horiffic things i've ever seen... It starts as a normal concert and 10 minutes later it's a disaster scene. It's something i'll remember forever.
@@LifeVirus1289: Cameraman Brian Butler kicked out a panel on the plexiglass atrium room as he left the stairs. Survivor Ron Barak is seen having just escaped from it.
@@myoldvhstapes Thanks for this info. I always wondered how the camera man got out and why others didn't follow.😥 Thought it was a private side exit.🚪
I can't imagine the pain the victims, survivors, and their loved ones have endured. May the souls of those who were lost, be at peace. God bless, and keep all who were affected by this heartbreaking tragedy.
I deal with the pain every family gathering, thank you for your kind words
Gins Russo is remarkable. The documentary she produced was great and the wotk she has done for the memorial is amazing. She truly inspires me. I hope she doesn't need more surgeries and can have some prace and comfort.
I was born on February 12, 2003. This happened when I was 8 days old. It always stuck with me due to the sheer loss of life and the close proximity of the fire to my date of birth. I was in North Carolina at that time, and of course I had no idea that we lost 100 innocent lives that day. Nobody in those families knew that eight days later their lives would change forever. For that reason I’ve studied it intensely. Being 20 years old now means it’s been 20 years since. RIP
Cool story bro
Damn, you still remember what is was like being in your dads balls?
I was born on February 12th, 2005. Just a couple years younger than you, but still… I can’t even imagine the heartache, the stress, and the overall trauma that all of these people went through that night. It’s just…. CRAZY. 😞
i love you dad kevin anderson my life
This tragedy made me think about exits at any club or bar i went to after
God bless you Carlos😢, went to school with you and all your brothers
RIP
To the 100 people who were killed in the Station nightclub fire
Thanks, my uncle died during this incident
I remember the day this happened very well. I was 16 then, now 36, crazy it’s been 20 years.
I'm the same as you and i remember this like it was yesterday.
I turned 18 on February 14, 2003 and this was going to be my first age restricted show and the people I was supposed to go with decided not to go and I found out what happened bc my mom and cousin left several frantic phone messages and I called to let them know that I was OK. I try to donate blood every year on the anniversary of this.
I was like 13 in mass, because of this fire every where I go I look for exits, this fire taught me so much so young
@@Bostonmusicfan5150I turned 18 yo on February 26th, 2003. I was supposed to be born on Valentine’s Day but was a couple weeks late my mom told me.
What a well done heartfelt tribute. Thank you WJAR.
❤
i remember seeing this in the news,even the news showed the people trying to get out and other people pulling at them,this for me was the worst thing ive ever watched on youtube that long ago,or when it was on youtube,it wasnt like youtube is today,they litterly showed everything,i will never ever be able to unsee it,im so sorry for all the people who died and there families left to pick up the tragic pieces,so sorry for this.
It's still on CZcams
I just watched it last night actually.
Very moving piece. The last three minutes really puts into perspective what 100 people look like.
Day 7564 of The Station Nightclub fire disaster. And people all around the world remember.
On 26 September 2023 there was another terrible fire at a wedding, in Iraq. EXACTLY the same cause! EXACTLY the same kind of fireworks! 140 deaths 250+ injuries. Time, distance, pain and loss. Linked together.
There is no excuse. It keeps happening at nightclubs and parties. Which is why it is so important to never forget. To honour the memory of those who are no longer with us, by learning the lessons of these disasters.
Unfortunately we never hear of the success stories: the disasters avoided when one of us speaks out against reckless behaviour. Every time someone calls out flammable materials, or compromised fire exits, we all win!
From the limited video that I've seen from that one compared to this one, the room was bigger (not crammed like a concert), but fire engulfed the roof much faster, which created almost exactly the same effect. You are right, we have to learn. I cannot imagine what victims and survivors feel seeing it.
God Bless every person involved in any way in this horrible disaster.
This was produced very well
Whenever I feel like complaining about a bad day I'm having or whatever, I think I jsut should watch and listen to Joe. Incredible.
Well done and heartfelt tribute!
A similar tragedy happened in my city in 2013, except the death toll was WAY higher.
242 people died at the KISS nightclub in Santa Maria (Brazil).
Man, when you see all those faces at the end you realize how many people have died 😢 i feel so bad for all of them. They just wanted to have a good time.. Joe, i have so much respect for you you're a fighter! You have a beautiful life and i wish you the best. I'm so sorry for everyone that have lost their lives and for the families 😢❤ r.i.p.
twenty years already, huh? this was a very moving video, thanks for sharing it.
I had just left my job and getting home turned on the TV and watched this until daylight. I took what I saw of those people stacked up like cordwood at the entrance as a lesson. Now when I go into a restaurant, building etc I make sure of the location of all exit doors.
Everyone knew this tiny club was overcrowded. They only had 20 parking spots for 300 people is crazy.
Sarah has a video on CZcams talking about it all. I watched it. And cried when she cried. I can't imagine the pain of it all. RIP to the victims and family's effected by the fire. It's stupid it happened in the first place.
Sarah who?
A beautiful memorial, physically and through this video. The mystery over the rogue "bouncer" has deepened, though. In Gina's book (From the Ashes), a clear picture emerges of acts of stupidity or evil that are hard to comprehend. We know that Tracy King died getting people out of the club in the best way possible, sacrificing his own life to save others. There are two candidates for the man who did the opposite, PREVENTING the escape of several victims, including Gina Russo's fiance. Most of us have inferred that it's [REDACTED]. (I've redacted the name in case there are ongoing legal actions). If it's true that he's actually taunted Gina by appearing at memorials, he's more to blame than anyone else. Jack Russell's not made many good decisions since the event, but he's never shown malice. Same with the Derderians. Daniel Biechele has done everything to make things better, against all odds. The anger towards this "bouncer" is palpable.
The hairs on my body started standing up when you mentioned Tracy King as he was my good friend, Jordan’s dad. We were only in the 6th grade when that tragedy happened and I’m just now learning that he helped save people which ultimately sacrificed himself. One of the many heroes 🕊️
@@Rico401Prov: Oh goodness, I'm sorry your friend lost her dad, and for you as a friend of the family. You can see from the pre-fire footage that Tracy was a kind person, a gentleman. God bless.
Man, that is really the dichotomy of freewill of choices by human beings. One bouncer saved lives and sacrificed his own life and the other chooses evil
Let god judge him
the mysterious bouncer was the worst of all of them.not allowing people to use the stage door.when there is a fire it should have been the first door availeable.people would not have gotten stuck in the front door as they did if that door was allowed to be used.a friend of mine said why didnt people just break the windows.some did .but when you panic you do not think straight
Powerful stories from the families. For the survivors and family members of those who died, the pain after the event is clearly lifelong. It is amazing how strong these people are. Joe is an amazing soul in terms of his acceptance and decision to live and “move on” as he put it. Wow
Just heartbreaking 💔
RIP Station Club! This Fire was just three days before the E2 fire!
The E2 Club Lost 21 People and The Station Fire Club Lost 100 People! RIP to both Clubs!
NBC 10 WJAR: thanks for posting. Hopefully the survivors are doing as well as they can.
This is well done and respectful. Its so sad to see all the faces of those affected and the people who passed Makes you realize all the beautiful lives lost and changed forever. May God bless the victims still here and bless the souls of the people lost. Never forget them .
What a fantastic job covering this. Hats off to all the provided this for all to see. God bless the victims.
My nephews went to college in Rhode Island I was very happy they weren't there that night.
So respectfully done. Putting faces to the stories really hits home and makes you realize how life can change in an instant and it could've been anyone of us. Never forget those who perished and thoughts and prayers to the survivors, the families and all the first responders 🙏
And Pam was one of Donna's friends. Rob and Donna was gonna tell there friends about the engagement. Rob has talked on two or three of these videos about the station. It's all heartbreaking
It seems yesterday when I heard the news on tv....RIP wonderful people!
Ugh...So incredibly heart breaking. My condolences to the friends and families of lost loved ones. May God bless and comfort you all. 🙏💔🙏 Praying for you all. 🙏😢🙏
Continued healing to the survivors 🙏🏾🕊
Peace to all of these souls and to their families❤
May they all Rest in Peace and God Bless their families and friends.
Incredibly depressing
I worked with Sandy and was teaching her to make glasses at Walmart Optical. She was a wonderful wondering young lady.....❤
VERY well done.
Gina is amazing ..what an inspiration ..thanks so much 😊
I'm so happy for Joe. I remember hearing that he got the first ever hand transplant, I believe. Now he's happily married with a daughter. Keep on keepin' on, brother. 👍
God Bless everyone who was impacted by this , i hope they can find peace.
Nobody needs fire to have a good time. I didn’t know 100 people died here. The reason I am here is because of a wedding in Iraq which killed 95 people and injured more than 150. It was pyrotechnics that caused the building to go up in flames. May everyone rest in peace.
Older public buildings should never have gotten exemptions for having a fire sprinkler system.
Losing hundred people is crazy and the tragedy of the death also my worse fear is a nightmare
Very similar to the Stardust Fire here in my country (Ireland) in 1981. RIP to the victims.
Tragic.
I'm very sorry
My heart breaks for all of the families I'm so sorry.My heart also breaks for the band Great White because they love all of their fans and this was such a horrible accident 😢. I'm sorry for everyone.
Pleased to see a memorial standing where The Station stood. The site where The Beverly Hills Supper Club stood is being considered for development. Totally, totally wrong.
God bless ❤
To this day, I refuse to listen to anything by Great White... In addition to the club owners, the band and their management should've known better than to use pyrotechnics at _anything_ smaller than a stadium or large amphitheater sized venue, especially in an older limited-sized structure that had no sprinkler system, yet had highly flammable sound deadening material installed! GW had already caught hell from the management of the _Stone Pony_ in Asbury Park, NJ for illegally using the same type of pyrotechnics at a show the week before... If they had used proper lighting F/X to open their show instead of the pyro BS, 100 people, including their own guitarist Ty Longley, would've lived to rock another day!
I commend WJAR for putting together this amazing tribute.
The video of the fire is one of the most horrible things I've ever seen. Whole building went up within minutes.
Jonathan Cain of Journey, survived a fire at his grade school. His father told him, don't stop believing. Which was turned into a song. 90 some grade school students died and 3 Nuns. This happened in Chicago. I count Jonathan, as a special friend. This happened in December 1958.
My sister lost a son by suicide.
Anytime you have such a tragedy, people want others to pay and I understand that, but no one wanted this to happen. I'm so sorry to everyone lost/affected. Prayers for true peace.
I don't like listening to dessert moon anymore.. especially the beginning. It's too painful and hits a lot different after you see that dreadful and traumatic video.
This poor man
Just let God I love and strengthen your core the sign guys seem more obviously everything that is true enough happy to be here with the usual shape of the year Lorrie
Twenty yrs ago and Still hard to understand this tragedy,you dont have pyrotechnics at a clubs,and the fact the club didnt have fire extinguisher s or a sprinkler system is beyond comprehensive,also bouncers Wouldn't let persons exit side because he said it was band only,the guy would of been picking his balls off the floor if he told me that.There were several exits but persons panicked and tried leaving the same way they came.Several would of surived if that bouncer Would of let persons exit side door,hope is conscience eats him or them up for that.I refuse to go to clubs of any if they dont have proper saftey measures.Exits probably would of saved many .Most were trapped or trappled buring to death,i cant even imagine the pain and horror .Rip
Strong story
🦋💐🦋
RIP
The first time I went to look at the Station club I thought it was so impressive and rico looking now when we're dealing with this memory of the entire 🔥 fireworks endings mostly I truly hope the public could have a protective services to help our friends bands and bars and and the enjoying side of the night would be fantastic with less pyrotechnics we could still be at a Great White Rock Show and everyone included could be there LAL
Great white guitar player lost his life in that fire also.😮😮💔🖤💀
I dont really understand when people say that jack russel should have been charged
Imagine Great White being the last concert you ever saw 🤢 😢
Awful tragedy that could have been prevented
Most horrific scene I’ve ever heard.
People should stop blaming the bouncer. It’s not certain he turned people away. That’s just in someone’s book.
RIP those poor young people. And God love the survivors and families.
It is fkn certain. Get a clue. Gina Russo herself has stated this a thousand times and in her book and testimony, he 100% did that, to her and others. He killed her husband.
Heartbreaking tragedy and such profound loss. However from the facts presented here and elsewhere, it seems like the fire was due to a comedy of errors and no one person is solely responsible…..but the takeaway is fireworks or pyrotechnics never belong in indoor venues.
so sad. I know that they did make that documentary The Guest List, Why isn't here on youtube or someplace that can be seen outside of the states ??? I have to use a vpn if I want to watch it.
They should have put their names and ages in the tribute as they did for the 10th sad anniversary.
I can not fault the band. I will get blowback, but it is the building and bar owners. Those jerks knew it was dangerous.
The manager and bar owners, should have known this could happen. The Pyrotechnics should have never been allowed.
Joe is amazing
This shit was nuts
Rhode island much terrible sadly disturbing 🔥 fireworks do not have any other better condition in music clubs or younger groups of people who are going to 👗 dress up for the event of the decade and burn alive and if we're smart and very lucky were going to try to never believe that it's okay everyone can enjoy the weekend or something and the band or any act can go home from the club alike too so I probably should keep beginning to remember to say that get the things you can and don't hurt everything anyone and don't set all of the people that want in the club on fire and make sure they don't have to get a surprise this sick again Lorrie
Let it NEVER Happen again !!! May their Souls Dance in Paradise Before God !!! 🙏
What, no great white.
Derek gray was my uncle, I never got to meet him
Joe ❤❤❤❤❤❤
What a champ
The Derderian brothers
My goodness the flame s were getting so tall I wish they had been able to get out of the jammed door areas too safety and protection for pyrotechnics getting way too far away and I will probably be praying for everyone included till the government pays the other side of the memory all of the music getting to enjoy the rest of your night in night clubs and then home to sleep knowing that you are always welcome to try to see all of the things you've paid for it alive and safe and sound very proud of rock metal Pop even punk and laughing so hard for the best place that you have to get a chance to see what you want like Jack Russell and Great White and bless Ty and everyone else who has moved to heaven and a loss no matter the outcome we can not be with at such a wonderful club the Station club with all the younger fan s and bless the tiny children I am grateful for the opportunity to cry about the little ones that are also in heaven because the kids want to do what everyone else is doing Lorrie
I'm sure pleased with the ceremony special design for the property and burial site right away that's what else is doing well and emergency tried switching the other area of everything tragic on to careful positive sweet dreams love and everything else would be great thanks for mentioning the fatality in mortal peace with God and family warmth together again because we are always welcome to be top of the hill even if you are going to be in heaven with God and the angles when you're ready to start again Lorrie