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Subject: Another club disaster
Several people feared dead in a Providence,RI nightclub after pyrotechnics at a "Great White" show engulf the stage and later the entire club. This happened at 11:00pm eastern time so details are sketchy but its already known that "several" bodies remain in the club. Details @ www.cnn.com. This is too weird. There was a panic and many of the people that died, did so because of "stacking up" at the exits while trying to flee. So close to the tradgedy in Chicago just 3 days ago.
FWIW, "Great White's" lead singer was quoted as saying "Our sound man was injured and taken to a hospital but I can't find my guitar player." They say disasters happen in threes. I don't know if thats true, but I know I'm not going "clubbing" this weekend.
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
This is so sad. According to CNN it has confirmed 24 dead and that Mark Kendall, lead guitarist for the band is missing. Apparently the band got the ok to use pyrotechnics from the club manager before the show. Man this is heavy. My thoughts and prayers are with all and their families. :'(
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
This is horrible...Great White is one of my favorite bands and it doesn't seem real to me. I pray that no one else has been killed and all that are missing are found quickly and alive. :'(
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
From MSNBC:
"Ty Longley, one of the guitarists for Great White, the group that was playing at the club, was not seen leaving the building and was feared dead or trapped, the company that manages the group told NBC News."
I'm also a big Great White fan. This whole thing is a real tragedy. I also hope those who are missing are found alive.
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
Quoting:
2. GREAT WHITE? Let the 80's dies already! That decade sucked.
End Quote
Says you. I like the decade, AND Great White. I'd pay to see them, and in fact HAVE seen them. What, you think they should have been watching N'STINK instead?
You have to take a thread about a tragedy and make it into an "80's sucked" rant? You're pathetic.
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
"At least 54 people died in a horrific Rhode Island nightclub blaze that witnesses said was ignited by a heavy metal band Great White's indoor pyrotechnic display. At least 168 people were injured in the fast-moving fire and many remain at nearby hospitals, officials said. "
What I wonder is, just how big was this club, sounds like there were a lot of people there.... :(
edited to add that at the cnn website there are some disturbing pics....don't choose the pic link if you are easily bothered by this sort of thing (like me).
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
Quoting:
how the ***( can that band live with themselves???? what the f** do you need pyrotechnics for in a night club?
"hey, our band sucks ass, let's add some cheesy 80's pyrotechnics"
please, this is not the WWF.
End Quote
FIRST please watch the language this is a moderated post and we have young ones here.
SECOND the band has nothing to do with keeping the venue safe that is up to the night club owner.
and here is your answer:
"The fire chief said the club, called The Station, had recently passed a fire inspection, but didn't have a city permit for pyrotechnics. The building, because of its small size, was not required to have a sprinkler system."
Sounds to me like the club owner should have addressed the fact that they did not have a sprinkler system in case of fire.
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
Anyone sight Jesse Jackson in Rhode Island yet? ;D
It's a strange coincidence or something... there was a band pyrotechnic fire at a downtown Minneapolis night club last week. Nothing terrrible happened with that once 'cept a bunch of patrons got wet and the joint is closed for a week or two while it repairs the water damage. (Guess this one must of met code)
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
:'(
At least we know the lead singer made it out alive because they were interviewing him…
My question is, "What were they thinking?"
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
ok, answer this one for me: the club was supposed to be able to hold max of 300 people....and they weren't required to have a sprinkler system of some kind? Maybe the laws should be changed? Also there were three other exits that noone used. Well, with thick black smoke rolling everywhere, if employees did not try to take control of the situation and direct people how in the world do they know where the exits are?
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
Quoting:
Anyone sight Jesse Jackson in Rhode Island yet? ;D
End Quote
Nope, this isn't his type of problem
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
I just saw an updated headline and the death toll is at 86 now. This is awful, I can't believe in this day and age that this type of occurance can happen in the US.
Politicians are going to go nuts on club venues.
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
They should probably begin doing like they do on airplanes -
Before any show takes place, they should light-up the place and show everyone the designated exits. This way, people have adavanced knowledge of where they can exit in case of an emergency. I agree that sprinklers should be mandated.
It's a tragedy and it's very sad. It is my hope they find no more dead people and those who have some hope of pulling through at the hospitals, do so as soon as possible.
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
Big trouble here. Club owners say they did NOT give permission to the band to use pyrotechnics so I can only imagine what a nightmare of a criminal investigation issue this could all lead to.
So, so very sad. And seems so preventable as well. Makes one wonder about building requirements. No sprinklers required because of small building size? Man, if I were a club owner (or any business owner for that matter) I would insist on installing a fire sprinkler system...'specially in a club cuz I've seen what people do with lit ciggies ;) Besides all that, I'm surprised insurance companies don't require installation. Seems like it would be really cost effective for them.
I feel for the families who lost someone and hope those in hospital care recover...
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
I just read the death count is up to 95 now. :'(
It's not looking good at Great White, the owner of another club stated that they used pyrotechnics without permission 3 weeks ago.
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
I made my first post when I first heard of the tragedy and info was coming slowly so I heard incorrectly that Mark Kendall was missing. There's going to be alot of "he said,he said" for awhile.
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
Quoting:
There's going to be alot of "he said,he said" for awhile.
End Quote
There is, isn't there. I have already heard that Great White had permission and that the club knew they weren't licensed for pyrotechnics, and that Great White did it without permission. The whole thing is sad.
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
Doesn't matter at this point whose fault it was...the loss of life is incredibly sad. But you can not tell me that the owners of that club didn't know what was being planned by the band and that in itself borders on criminal negligence.
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
Quoting:
Doesn't matter at this point whose fault it was...the loss of life is incredibly sad. But you can not tell me that the owners of that club didn't know what was being planned by the band and that in itself borders on criminal negligence.
End Quote
I agree - sounds like the club owners are trying to cover their a**. Just read that there are three other clubs claiming that they didn't know about the bands planned use of pyrotechnics but there are also some clubs coming out and saying that the band asked for permission and complied when told no, giving the club no problems.
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
Quoting:
Doesn't matter at this point whose fault it was...the loss of life is incredibly sad. But you can not tell me that the owners of that club didn't know what was being planned by the band and that in itself borders on criminal negligence.
End Quote
Indeed. You dodn't just put a bunch of flashpots on the floor; it takes about an hour of preparation to set up pyros like that. Surely someone at the club must have seen them being set. Certainly the band was negligent by having them when they'd been advised not to, but you can't tell me the stage manager at the club didn't know they were being set up.
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
Quoting:
Doesn't matter at this point whose fault it was...the loss of life is incredibly sad. But you can not tell me that the owners of that club didn't know what was being planned by the band and that in itself borders on criminal negligence.
End Quote
The part that I don't understand is why weren't sprinklers required. I know it was a small club, but I think sprinklers should be required in all businesses like that. In fact the when all is said and done the law will probably be changed.
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
Quoting:
The part that I don't understand is why weren't sprinklers required. I know it was a small club, but I think sprinklers should be required in all businesses like that. In fact the when all is said and done the law will probably be changed.
End Quote
That's what I thought also, but I guess the local fire authority just didn't think it was necessary in a low-ceilinged, small capacity, wooden rock music venue.
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
Quoting:
That's what I thought also, but I guess the local fire authority just didn't think it was necessary in a low-ceilinged, small capacity, wooden rock music venue.
End Quote
Hopefully people everywhere will take this as an example of what not to do.
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
As I posted on the 80s board, what makes this tragedy even worse is that it was caused by STUPIDTY! The band using pyrotechnics in a small building and the building not having a sprinkler systems. How do you justify the lost of all those lives?
Cat
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
Quoting:
As I posted on the 80s board, what makes this tragedy even worse is that it was caused by STUPIDTY! The band using pyrotechnics in a small building and the building not having a sprinkler systems. How do you justify the lost of all those lives?
End Quote
You can't. An accident like this can't be justified.
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
Quoting:
As I posted on the 80s board, what makes this tragedy even worse is that it was caused by STUPIDTY! The band using pyrotechnics in a small building and the building not having a sprinkler systems. How do you justify the lost of all those lives?
Cat
End Quote
I agree and I'm angry. >:(
Sheer stupidity and irresponsibility were exercised by everyone involved in/with the band and the club people who must've witnessed the pyro set-up. The owners can claim they didn't know about it "'till the cows come home", but the fact of the matter is they should have been aware of what was going-on at their club at all times. It was their responsibility to do so.
There's no one in particular to blame. Everyone involved shares the blame equally.
I do wonder why pyrotechnics were even necessary, as far as Great White's conserned. The band no longer wears the make-up and big hair, so why even do pyrotechnics?
They've been trying to recapture some of their late 80's glory and that's all good and well, but...
What? Forgot they were no longer in big concert arenas? They've been playing small venues for crying out loud. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
The band's finished.
I like their music, but they'll never overcome this. Plus, they lost one of their band members in this tragedy. I'll be surprised if the guilt doesn't eat at them. The pyrotechnics display was really not necessary. And If they are more responsible than anyone thinks.... God help them. :-/
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
With both club trajedies I want to see a number of results come from this.
Safety Standards- The reason the building didin't have a sprinkler system was becasue it was grandfatherd in from needing one. It was 60 years old so it was not required. That needs to change, any public venue that is going to house over 25 people should.
Hairsprays input of handleing safety similar to an airline and pointing out exits before a show is an excellant idea, even for people who may enter in after the show starts would benefit they could follow the crowd out.
That Chicago club should not have been allowed to operate, I want the owners & event management to face criminal charges. I want the gvt. department responcible for these venues fairly investigated and people to be held responsible. I want the Black Community to relise that Jesse Jackson is fraud, he is not there to help the community, just keep it seperated with hate and rhetoric.
Safety/Fire violations should be immediatley followed through on, if that means chaining the doors closed until the venue comes under code, than fine. If operating w/o changes then immeditately shut down and loss of liscence to operate and a BIG fine. If there is any results of injury or death that results from operatin w/o liscense than applicable criminal charges apply.
The issue of Great Whites permission to use the pyrotechs should be very easy to trace, if this is not the case then clear documentation should be required and signed as a contract to operate within any venue. Verbal pernission would not be recognized, written only. I would hate to see this trajedy going unpunished because it can't be established who was respoisible for the decision. Bottom Line- In the future if it's not in writing than the Band is liable.
Changes need to be made, finances should not be issue with it, we know what the cost can truly be.
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
This really freaks me out 'cause I can speak from personal experience. In about '81 we (the band) were playing a club and decided to use small flash pots. And no, it doesn't take an hour to set them up. All they are are a 1" (or whatever size) pipe with what ever flash material (usually gunpowder) in them and 110 volt charge running to them. I can see easily how the band could set them up while setting up their equipment without the clubs knowledge. Anyway, back to the story, we sat the ones on my side of the stage too close to my keyboards and when they ignited, they caught a flag that I had draped over the front of my keys on fire. Some guy in the audience tossed his drink on it, trying to put it out, and that made it that much worse. We got it put out quickly (thanks to 2 pitchers of "band beer") but when I saw the footage from GW's show, I thought, "There but for the grace of God go I" for sure. Its easy to play "Monday morning quaterback" now and assess blame though, IMHO.
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
Living fairly close to Providence, there has been nothing else on the news but this.
The band's singer is clearly upset. He is missing a bandmate and at least one crewmember. One thing that is glaring--he says he was told by his manager and attorney (emphasis mine) that they had permission to use pyrotechnics. A telephone quote by one of the attorneys says pretty much the same thing-they had the ok. Club owners naturally deny giving any such permission.
It seems to me that the band was relying on others to make sure the appropriate things were taken care of. And they weren't done properly. How many other bands have been cheated and taken advantage of by managers, accountants, and/or attorneys?
I may be wrong, but I'd like to keep an open mind until all the facts are in.
Also, one reporter counting up all the confirmed dead and survivors came up with 363 clubgoers. A number clearly well over the club's liscenced capacity of 300. And that is not counting the band, crew, and club employees, which could easily add another 50-75 people. The club owners must be held partly respsonsible on the overcrowding alone.
In the meantime, I am keeping the families of the dead and missing in my prayers. :'(
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
XenaKat's "open mind" statement is the most intelligent thing thats been posted so far. I think sometimes we, the general public, are just like the media in that we jump in and throw our opinions out before knowing the true facts. Everyone needs to just think and pray for the families, although when I started counting the dead, and the injured, and saw the tape of the inside of the club, the 300 capacity number looked and sounded suspect. And there I go, doing exactly what I was talking about. ::)
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
The one thing that gets me about this is it would appear from the quotes I read that there was only one entrance and exit,I could be wrong on that as I say that's what was said in the reports I read. I'm sure there must have been fire escapes? It's certainly the law in the U.K that clubs over a certain capacity have to have more than one exit.My favourite club in Oxford got done a couple of years ago for having the fire exit locked and letting too many people in.They closed for many months whilst extra exits and better soundproofing were put in.From what I understood though it is a fairly common practise in smaller clubs to lock firedoors when as in their case locals had complained about the noise when the fire doors where open.
Sadly I think far too many clubs big and small turn a blind eye to capacity limits all they see is extra revenue from more ticket sales..........
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
There were several fire exits, all marked with exit lights, but the smoke was so thick no one could see them.
According to this, there was no mention of pyros in the band's contract with the club:
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/greatwhite1.html
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
Interesting. On page 6, under "Lighting," there was this:
ON THE DAY, THE TOUR MANAGER WILL GO OVER LIGHT CHANGES AND MOOD SETTINGS.
Wonder if the pyrotechnics were considered "mood settings?"
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
Quoting:
XenaKat's "open mind" statement is the most intelligent thing thats been posted so far. I think sometimes we, the general public, are just like the media in that we jump in and throw our opinions out before knowing the true facts.End Quote
I almost took offense to that.
I stand by my post and opinion.
I just read that other bands in the past had played the club and used pyrotechnics AND managers had knowledge of their use.
The April 2000 edition of the music review magazine Soundcheck describes the group's show that year at The Station and mentions the pyrotechnics. A videotape provided by Vaccaro shows the band on stage and a banner in front that reads "The Station." At the end of the act, there is a brief burst of sparklers that almost immediately shrinks and disappears.
Lovin' Kry band member Dan Kincaid said he was a frequent patron of The Station, in addition to playing there, and remembers seeing several other bands using pyrotechnics.
A member of a Rhode Island-based Kiss tribute band told News Channel 10's Gene Valicenti his group played The Station in August and October and used pyrotechnics with the management's knowledge.
"Our first time in, we asked. The second time, it was just expected," said Shawn Fox of Kisstory. "This is our show, this is what we do. And they knew what we did: spitting fire, the confetti launchers and the flashpots. They knew it was all part of the show. Never once were we told you can't do that -- it's not allowed."
A lawyer for The Station did not immediately return a phone call from News Channel 10 for a response.
http://www.msnbc.com/local/WJAR/A1505378.asp?cp1=1
Also of interest:
http://www.msnbc.com/local/WJAR/A1505419.asp?cp1=1
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
Thanks for that shared info Hairspray, I think there is enough culpability to go around with this. I think the most important thing is that building code become more stringent, not "grandfather" clauses for any publice venue.
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
Quoting:
Thanks for that shared info Hairspray, I think there is enough culpability to go around with this. I think the most important thing is that building code become more stringent, not "grandfather" clauses for any publice venue.
End Quote
Thank you Race. You're right. There definitely need to be some changes.
This tragedy has upset me more than I ever thought possible.
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
A first-person account from a survivor
02/23/2003
The following is a first-person account of The Station fire by one of its survivors, Robert Riffe, 22, of Ashaway, R.I., who has asked projo.com to post his story in the hope that his thanks will reach the unknown person who saved him from the blaze.
Somewhere between 7:45-8 p.m., I arrived at The Station rock club with my friend Ryan Fleck. To my knowledge, neither of us had ever been there before. We walked around the club just to check the place out. During the course of the first two bands' performances, we each had a couple of drinks as most people did to enjoy the night.
About one minute prior to Great White taking the stage, my friend Ryan returned from the bathroom. We stood about 15-20 feet from the stage, which is also about 15-20 feet from the main entrance. We were standing on the side of the room that was closest to the front of the building.
As Great White started the first song, the pyrotechnics began to go off. They seemed to last around 5-10 seconds, and as they were going off I recall thinking to myself, "Wow! I'm surprised they use pyro's in this small club."
Even though I could tell that the pyrotechnics were finished, I could see flames climbing up the egg carton-shaped, foam soundproofing. For a couple of seconds, I expected to see someone with a fire extinguisher on each side of the stage putting the flames out.
During these couple of seconds, I said to my friend Ryan, "Uh oh, they set the sound-proofing stuff on fire."
"They sure did," he replied. Then after another couple seconds and the flames began to grow, I turned to him and said, "Let's get the hell out of here." We both turned and headed for the main door, which like many people, was the only door we knew of.
I believe I heard people screaming fire, I recall seeing someone in the band throw a cup of water on the flames, which of course did nothing. I'm also pretty sure I heard Jack Russell, the lead singer; say either, "Thank you" or "Good night."
The door way was set up in a Y shape, where the Station's two main rooms emptied into two very short hallways, which turned into one smaller one, which led to the door. Just as we reached the point where the two hallways came to one, the thick black smoke just completely filled the room. I couldn't see, I couldn't breathe, and as far as I knew, my friend Ryan was right behind me.
As I got within inches from the door way, I just came to a complete stop. I couldn't move. Being careful not to fall down and get trampled, I bent down, sucked up some air from the floor area where there was no smoke, held my breath, and pushed forward. I had gotten my head and torso out of the main door, so I was breathing fresh air, but my legs were caught in the middle of the people piled in the door way.
At first I was on my stomach, there were a few guys that had already escaped trying to pull people out. One man grabbed me, tried pulling me out, but quickly gave up.
Somehow, I turned on my back, still on top of people, and people on top of me and reached out toward another man. He pulled at me, and somehow I budged a little. I think this gave both of us hope because he kept pulling harder, he was screaming at me, "Come on! You can do it! Get out! Come on! Pull! Push! Come on!"
But my legs were stuck and I couldn't get out. Somehow, with my legs buried in the pile, I was able to kick my shoes off which gave me the extra inch or so that I needed and my legs slipped out.
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
Part II
I never had a chance to thank that man, because as soon as I was out was out, he began helping someone else and I began pulling on people as well. I tried pulling on one man and could not get him to even budge the tiniest bit. I grabbed onto a woman who was trapped at the bottom, and could not get her to budge either. I felt so useless.
Suddenly it dawned on my that my friend Ryan was behind me, and if I barely go out, he must have still been in there. I ran down the steps so I could look at the pile of helpless people to see if I could see him anywhere.
Just then, the flames reached the doorway and the people who I had just been trapped under, were now burning. I couldn't and I started to go into what I assume was a state of shock. I couldn't move. I couldn't do anything but stand there and scream his name and the words, "I'm sorry."
The entire time I was in that pile, I kept thinking in my head that this was it. This was the end. I had made far enough to get fresh air in my lungs, but now I was going to burn to death. Now that I was finally out, all I could imagine was that everyone who was still in there, including my friend Ryan, was being asphyxiated by the smoke and/or burning to death. It was complete horror.
I turned around to see if I could see him anywhere, and there he was standing by my car looking for me. I ran over to him and happy that he was alive and well, I gave him a hug. He somehow got out before me.
As we both turned around to look at the building, we could see people coming out of the windows, and people scattered throughout the parking lot. Some were still burning, others were smoldering, and others were all bloodied from jumping out of the windows and onto the pavement.
There were so many ambulances and fire trucks already there by this time. I couldn't think of what to do, so I moved my car out of the parking lot and into the lot next-door to make room for the emergency vehicles.
By this time the entire building was engulfed in flames, the ceiling was gone, and it seemed like no one else was coming out of the building. Neither of us are trained in any kind of emergency rescue, and we felt useless being able to do nothing. The best we could do was stay out of the way, as we let the emergency workers do their jobs.
All we could do was watch in horror, as all those people were hurt, and all the others tragically trapped inside lost their lives.
As we were exiting the club, I do remember looking over my shoulder a couple of times, and I just can't believe how fast the fire moved. Within about 5 seconds of us heading to the door, the flames were already about half way through the first room, and the black smoke had filled the entire club.
The images, sounds, and smells that I witnessed that night are forever burned into my brain. And as horrible as that is, I'm glad that I was to get out and that I am able to have these horrible memories.
Obviously, no one ever dreamed something like this could happen at a rock 'n' roll show, and my heart and prayers go out to everyone who was affected by this in anyway. It was a tragic waste of 96 lives. It's something that ... definitely should not have happened and could have easily been avoided with some simple communication.
It's going to be a while before I go to another concert. And I can assure myself that from now on, no matter where I go, I'll be sure to locate all the exits upon entering a building.
Also, just to put my opinion out there, I hope some kind of law is passes which requires lighted exit signs not to only be placed above the doors but near the floor as well. With the smoke being as thick and black as it was, no one was in anyway able to see the exit signs.
I'm truly sorry to anyone whose lives were touched by this tragic event, and I just want say THANK YOU to whoever that unknown man was that pulled me out. May God bless him and his family. I don't know who he is, but to me he is a hero and my personal savior. Thank you again, and God Bless.
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
Quoting:
I almost took offense to that.
I stand by my post and opinion.
End Quote
I can't for the life of me see why you would take offense to anything I said in my post but if you did, I'm sorry. ???
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
Wow, Race, that was some article. Thank you for posting it..
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
Quoting:
I can't for the life of me see why you would take offense to anything I said in my post but if you did, I'm sorry. ???
End Quote
XenaKat's "open mind" statement is the most intelligent thing thats been posted so far. I think sometimes we, the general public, are just like the media in that we jump in and throw our opinions out before knowing the true facts.
I felt my opinion was crapped on somehow.
I accept your apology. :)
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
Race,
Thanks for posting the victim's account of the tragedy.
Subject: Re: Another club disaster
Quoting:
I agree - sounds like the club owners are trying to cover their a**. Just read that there are three other clubs claiming that they didn't know about the bands planned use of pyrotechnics but there are also some clubs coming out and saying that the band asked for permission and complied when told no, giving the club no problems.
End Quote
In the past few years, Great White has played shows at different clubs in Chicago. The news showed video and interviewed managers of the clubs they played at. In all videos, there were no pyrotechnics as the managers told them they could not use them. All the managers stated that GW had no problem when they were told they couldn't use them. In all cases here, they asked for permission and were told no. I pray for the families involved in these types of tragedies.
Subject: Great White Subpoenaed
It sounds like they're handleing the investigation here pretty well, I wonder how Chicago is doing?
WEST WARWICK, R.I. -- Members of the band Great White have been subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury that will investigate the nightclub fire that killed 97 people last week, authorities said Tuesday.
The grand jury will convene Wednesday, law enforcement authorities said on the condition of anonymity. One official also said investigators have searched the home of one of the club's owners.
The developments came one day after thousands turned out to honor the dead at three separate memorial services.
Investigators have been trying to determine who is to blame for Thursday's inferno, which was apparently sparked by the band's pyrotechnics and swept through the one-story, wooden building in just three minutes. The band has said it received approval to use the special effects, but the club's owners have denied giving permission.
Attorney General Patrick Lynch said the owners, brothers Jeffrey and Michael Derderian, have not answered investigators' questions since the fire.
"I believe the Derderians might be able to provide some answers that may assist all of us," Lynch said late Monday.
Kathleen Hagerty, an attorney for the Derderians, said the brothers provided information to West Warwick police and have arranged to share information with the attorney general.
The pyrotechnics apparently set fire to soundproofing behind and above the stage. State law bars flammable acoustic material like polyurethane foam from the walls of gathering spaces like bars.
"If it was (polyurethane), then the governor's going to want an answer to the question, 'Why was it there?'" said Gov. Don Carcieri's spokesman, Jeff Neal.
Paul Vanner, who described himself as a sound engineer and stage manager at the club, told The Boston Globe and the Boston Herald he warned Michael Derderian three months ago that pyrotechnics were being used by bands in the club and the practice should be stopped.
"I told them, 'I don't know those dudes from (expletive)'," Vanner said. "They are lighting fires in your club. Tomorrow they're gone. Tomorrow we're here. I can't guarantee safety in your club."
Soundproofing experts who have seen video of the disaster say they believe the material used at the Station was polyurethane foam, a commonly used, inexpensive alternative to fire-resistant panels many experts prefer.
"It's a common mistake many people make, not evaluating their materials," said P.J. Nash, a national soundproofing distributor in San Diego. "Polyurethane foam is extremely flammable, and if you breathe that smoke, it's going to knock you out in a minute."
A polyurethane panel typically costs about $150 while a melamine panel, which experts say withstands heat, sells for nearly $250.
The club passed a fire inspection Dec. 31, but it wasn't clear if the soundproofing material was checked or would normally be looked at during a routine inspection. Fire Chief Charles Hall declined to comment on the investigation.
Authorities have begun interviewing employees at nightclubs in other states where employees say Great White used pyrotechnics without notice.
At the memorials, the focus was on the victims.
"This state is like a close-knit family," said Tricia Colon, a middle school teacher who attended Monday night's service at the West Warwick Civic Center. "If you don't know someone who died or was hurt in the fire, you know somebody who knows somebody. It's that closeness that's going to pull everyone through this."
It was standing-room-only at the 2,000-seat center, just a few miles from the charred ruins of the Station club. In nearby Warwick, about 400 people sang hymns and prayed for the victims at an interfaith service. And hundreds more attended a prayer service in Pawtucket.
Among the crowd at the civic center were school bus drivers who had worked with victim Robert Reisner, 29, and drove his bus to the service.
"There is no doubt in my mind that he was letting people out of the club in front of him," Danny Manns recalled. "He was a gentleman."
At St. Gregory the Great Church in Warwick, one pastor asked grieving families to hold up pictures of their lost relatives so mourners can "know for a moment those you loved."
"It's true that some good may come from this disaster, but the event itself is only tragic and will never make sense," said the Rev. John E. Holt of the Rhode Island Council of Churches. He saluted families for their "quiet courage."
The governor ordered state agencies to fly the Rhode Island state flag at half-staff. Carcieri also asked President Bush to declare the fire a state disaster, which would make Rhode Island eligible for federal aid.
About 80 survivors of the blaze remained hospitalized Monday; about half were listed in critical condition.