Feb 7, 2006 4:49 pm US/Eastern
Station Nightclub Fire Timeline
(AP)
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100 people died when the Station Nightclub burned down.
CBS4
The following is a list of noteworthy events since the Feb. 20, 2003 blaze at The Station nightclub in West Warwick:
Feb. 20, 2003, shortly after 11 p.m. -- Great White takes the stage at The Station nightclub, and begins playing the song "Desert Moon." Pyrotechnics fired at the start of the song ignite foam placed around the stage. Patrons rush for the exits as the fire spreads, but many get stuck in the front door. Within minutes, flames engulf the building.
Feb. 21, 2003 -- Ninety-six bodies had been pulled from the burned wreckage of The Station.
Feb. 22, 2003 -- Club owner Jeffrey Derderian says at a news conference that he had no prior knowledge that pyrotechnics would be used at the club. His brother, club co-owner, Michael Derderian, sits silently next to him.
Feb. 26, 2003 -- Grand jury convenes to investigate whether criminal charges are warranted.
Feb. 28, 2003 -- The fire claims its 97th victim when Linda Suffoletto dies at Massachusetts General Hospital.
March 1, 2003 -- The fire claims its 98th victim when Kelly Vieira dies at Shriners Hospital.
March 4, 2003 -- First lawsuit on behalf of survivors, victims' families is filed.
March 6, 2003 -- The nightclub fire claims its 99th victim when Mitchell Shubert dies at Massachusetts General Hospital.
May 4, 2003 -- The nightclub fire claims its 100th victim. Pamela Gruttadauria, of Johnston, dies at Massachusetts General Hospital.
July 7, 2003 -- State enacts new fire regulations, including tough sprinkler requirements for nightclubs and other businesses.
Dec. 9, 2003 -- Club owners Jeffrey and Michael Derderian, and Great White tour manager Dan Biechele each are charged and plead innocent to 200 counts of involuntary manslaughter.
Feb. 20, 2004 -- First anniversary of fire marked with memorial services.
July 22, 2004 -- More than 200 fire survivors and relatives of fire victims file a lawsuit in federal court accusing dozens of defendants, including the state, club owners, the leader of the band Great White and a fire inspector, of negligence.
Sept. 23, 2005 -- The Derderians file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, estimating their debts as greater than $100 million.
Dec. 5, 2005 -- A superior court judge refuses to dismiss the indictments against the Derderians and Biechele.
Dec. 12, 2005 -- Trial date of May 1 is set for Biechele.
Jan. 31, 2006 -- A judge discloses that Biechele will plead guilty to 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter in exchange for a maximum prison term of 10 years.
Feb. 7, 2006 -- Biechele pleads guilty to 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter that accuse him of igniting pyrotechnics without a permit, resulting in the deaths.
(© 2006 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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