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Great White Nightclub Tragedy in Rhode Island

© Chad Bowar

At about 11:00pm on Thursday, February 20th, a fire broke out onstage as Great White began their set at The Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island. The fire appears to have been caused by the band's pyrotechnic display. Pyrotechnic sparklers called "gerbes" were set off as the band began to play. The fire spread up the wall behind the stage into the ceiling. The entire club was engulfed in flames in a matter of 2 to 3 minutes.

Approximately 300 people were believed to have been in the club at the time of the fire. 97 people died in the fire, and 187 were treated for injuries. Out of those injured, 81 were hospitalized. Many of those remain in critical condition. Authorities believe they have recovered all the bodies from the rubble of the nightclub.

One of Great White's guitarists, 31 year old Ty Longley, perished in the fire. He had been with Great White for three years.

Also killed in the fire was the emcee for the show, radio announcer Mike "The Doctor" Gonzalves from WHJY in Providence.

Did the band have permission to use the pyrotechnics? A statement issued by the owners of The Station says in part, "At no time, did either owner have prior knowledge that pyrotechnics were going to be used by the band Great White. No permission was ever requested by the band or its agents to use pyrotechnics at The Station, and no permission was ever given." Here's the full text of the statement.

The manager of the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, New Jersey claims Great White set off pyrotechnics at a show there a week previous without permission.

Lead singer Jack Russell said the band's manager had informed officials at The Station pyrotechnics would be used. And Paul Woolnough, president of the group's management company, Manic Music Management and Knight Records, denied the band had failed to notify venues pyrotechnics were used.

David "Kry" Vaccaro, lead singer of local band Lovin' Kry, said his group played and used pyrotechnics "all the time" at The Station, and no one ever told them to stop. Vaccaro said his band is not taking sides but want the public to know bands and clubs regularly circumvent the law by not following regulations regarding pyrotechnics.

Great White, Knight Records, and Manic Music Management, issued the following statement: "Our thoughts and prayers are with those that have passed away, those that are suffering and to the families and friends thereof. There has been a tragic accident effecting a lot of people in a terrible way, we are deeply saddened as to what has happened."

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