The Station's Layout





 

The building had a layout of approximately 4484 square feet. There were only four entrances/exits. The main entrance was located on the north side of the building. There was an additional door on the west side adjacent to the stage. Near the main bar area there was another door. The fourth door was located in the kitchen area. Each door was only three feet wide, making it harder for patrons to exit the building during the blaze. The building also had large windows located on both sides of the main entrance. The Station Nightclub also did not have any sprinklers.

As the foam burned, it created large masses of dense smoke and spread the fire to the wooden frame of the building. There were 404 people inside of the nightclub during the fire. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) estimated that about two-thirds of the people inside of the nightclub attempted to escape through the main entrances in their post-fire analysis. Because of the mass amount of people rushing to get out of the main entrance, the door quickly got jammed. In addition to trying to escape out of the front door, people also broke through the windows to escape from the flames. 100 people were killed, including Great White guitarist Ty Longley, and 230 people were injured.

What Caused The Fire?

On June 27, 2000 co-owner Michael Derdian purchased twenty-five sheets of sound-proofing foam for $575. The foam was two and a half inches thick and was made of polyurethane. The foam is commonly used as a packing material and is not flame retardant. If Derdian had purchased fire retardant foam, it would have cost approximately $1,150, twice the price of the foam he actually purchased.

On February 20, 2003 Great White was performing at The Station Nightclub. As part of their set, they added an element of pyrotechnics. When they set the pyrotechnics off, the sound-proofing foam that surrounded the stage caught fire immediately. The fire department was notified after about 40 seconds, and arrived within five minutes. However by the time they arrived, the fire was already coming through the roof of The Station.

 

The fire at The Station Nightclub, 211 Cowesett Avenue in W. Warwick, Rhode Island was the fourth deadliest nightclub fire in U.S. History.  The fire started at 11:07 pm on Thursday the 20^th of February, 2003. 100 people were killed and 230 were injured.132 people escaped without physical harm. 

The fire was caused by pyrotechnics, igniting flammable acoustic foam which was around the stage, erupting in less than 40 seconds. Three people were convicted in the blaze: Jeffrey and Michael Derderian and a Great White tour manager Daniel Biechele, who lit the pyrotechnics. The three were were found responsible for the deaths at the club.

History of the Station Nightclub

The Station Nightclub was built in West Warwick, Rhode Island in 1946. It was located at 211 Cowesett Avenue. It originally opened as a nightclub. Since it's opening, the nightclub had many different owners and renovations done. The building was about 4484 square feet with a single story wooden frame. Jeffrey and Michael Derdian were the last owners of the nightclub. Under their ownership, the nightclub had regular rock and roll performances. Tragically, The Station Nightclub burned down February 20, 2003. On that fateful night, the heavy metal band Great White was performing. 100 people were killed in the fire. The fire remains the fourth deadliest nightclub fire in U.S. history.