The fourth deadliest fire in US history. 96 peope died immediately, 4 other died afterwards for a total of 100. Total number of people at The Station on that fateful night was 404. The fire started at 11:08pm just seconds after the headlining band, Great White, started to play its opening song "Desert Moon." The fire was caused by the use of pyrotechnics by the band's road manager, Daniel Biechele. Here is Biechele's booking picture:
Biechele pleaded guilty to 100 counts of manslaughter and was sentenced to 15 years. Strangely many of the families do not blame Biechele and have lobbied for him to be released. He is due to get parole in March 2008 ( the parole board was amazed at the families ability to forgive Biechele.)
The Station owners were sentenced to 15 and 10 years, respectively - suspended sentenced and probation. No jail time !!!
here is the NIST's investigation into the fire:
http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/factsheet/mar_3_rifindings
there were 4 exits but everyone tried to exit throught the main exit - 96 didn't make it. Most of the deceased were found piled on top of one another near the main exit. Cause of deaths: smoke inhalation, thermal injuries, blunt force trauma ( due to trampling)
other tidbits: the nightclub had no sprinkler system
the alarm was activated 41 seconds after the fire began
the bulk of the patrons tried to exit 30 seconds after the fire
began
first 911 call took 40 seconds
fire Dept was on the scene within 4 minutes
Here is a must see video of the fire !! I have never seen this before. you can hear the screams !!!
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=e97_1175350379
A list of the dead:
http://www.stationfirememorialfoundation.org/
there is a makeshift memorial at the site. The victims families are trying to raise money for a permanent memorial. Here is the website:
http://www.stationfirememorialfoundation.org/mission.htm
they are registered with the IRS and donations are tax deductible. I gonna send them $50.00. Every disaster deserves a permanent memorial.
This is sad:
http://www.myspace.com/stationfirememorial
The lead guitarist of Great White, Ty Longley, was killed during the fire.
his final resting place:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=7201338
Great White has pledged to never play "Desert Moon" again. Here is the song. You have to read some of the comments.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEHfJMqvgIo