Great White Pays $1 Million to Nightclub Fire Victims - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 09-04-2008, 04:23 PM

More than five years after 100 people were killed when a pyrotechnics show went awry at a Great White concert, the '80s rock band has agreed to pay $1 million to the fire's survivors and to the families of the victims, according to reports.

The February 2003 fire at The Station nightclub in Warwick, Rhode Island, was the fourth deadliest nightclub fire in U.S. History and started when the band's manager lit pyrotechnics that ignited cheap soundproofing foam. Many of the victims were overcome by fumes or trapped in a crush to exit the club.

Great White manager Daniel Biechele pled guilty to 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter and was released on parole earlier this year after serving half of a four-year sentence. No band members were charged with any crime.

The band, which lost guitarist Ty Longley in the incident, denied any wrongdoing as part of the $1 million settlement. The money will be distributed among the more than 300 plaintiffs in the case. Chris Fontaine, the mother of one of the victims, told Rolling Stone she thought the band was "getting off easy."

Earlier this month, the state of Rhode Island and the town of Warwick settled with the victims and their families for $20 million.

http://www.people.com/people/article...223055,00.html

phoebe7165 · 09-04-2008, 06:09 PM

I like Great White and all, but dividing only 1 million dollars amongst all those people?? Give me a break!!

AB · 09-04-2008, 09:30 PM

That was such a tragic accident.

catlover79 · 09-04-2008, 09:32 PM

Such a sad, sad story. It could totally have been prevented, too.

phoebe7165 · 09-04-2008, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by annball1957

That was such a tragic accident.

I remember watching the news that night on CNN or MSNBC or one of those channels and they were broadcasting from the club. They showed one clip of people trying to get out of this one door, and just crammed against the outside of the doorway. Nobody was able to move. I can't imagine going through that. For a while after that fire, every concert I went to, they always made an announcement for everybody to take notice of all the emergency exits around you.

catlover79 · 09-04-2008, 09:39 PM

^ That's probably the one good thing that came out of it. Like I said, if the band AND venue had been more careful, the whole tragedy could've been averted.

Schmoopie · 09-04-2008, 10:12 PM

You ever notice how the only time that fire exits are even pointed out are in airplanes and schools (and maybe work places)? You never hear about those things in clubs and so forth. I remember that accident, but I had forgotten how big it was. That was a terrible tragedy!

Andrea

09-04-2008, 04:23 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Great White Pays $1 Million to Nightclub Fire Victims More than five years after 100 people were killed when a pyrotechnics show went awry at a Great White concert, the '80s rock band has agreed to pay $1 million to the fire's survivors and to the families of the victims, according to reports. The February 2003 fire at The Station nightclub in Warwick, Rhode Island, was the fourth deadliest nightclub fire in U.S. History and started when the band's manager lit pyrotechnics that ignited cheap soundproofing foam. Many of the victims were overcome by fumes or trapped in a crush to exit the club. Great White manager Daniel Biechele pled guilty to 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter and was released on parole earlier this year after serving half of a four-year sentence. No band members were charged with any crime. The band, which lost guitarist Ty Longley in the incident, denied any wrongdoing as part of the $1 million settlement. The money will be distributed among the more than 300 plaintiffs in the case. Chris Fontaine, the mother of one of the victims, told Rolling Stone she thought the band was "getting off easy." Earlier this month, the state of Rhode Island and the town of Warwick settled with the victims and their families for $20 million. http://www.people.com/people/article...223055,00.html
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09-04-2008, 06:09 PM	#2
phoebe7165 Pop Culture Goddess Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 15, 2003 Location: US of A - the country of "really bad music" lovers Posts: 11,600	I like Great White and all, but dividing only 1 million dollars amongst all those people?? Give me a break!!
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09-04-2008, 09:32 PM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	Such a sad, sad story. It could totally have been prevented, too.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

09-04-2008, 10:12 PM	#7
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	You ever notice how the only time that fire exits are even pointed out are in airplanes and schools (and maybe work places)? You never hear about those things in clubs and so forth. I remember that accident, but I had forgotten how big it was. That was a terrible tragedy! Andrea
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019

09-04-2008, 09:30 PM	#3
AB Member Eternal Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 26, 2006 Location: The South Posts: 59,428	That was such a tragic accident.

09-04-2008, 09:39 PM	#6
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	^ That's probably the one good thing that came out of it. Like I said, if the band AND venue had been more careful, the whole tragedy could've been averted.