Three Indicted in R.I. Fire
Great White tour manager Dan Biechele and the Station nightclub
owners Jeffrey and Michael Derderian were indicted on charges of
involuntary manslaughter yesterday, stemming from the February fire
that claimed 100 lives.
Each of the three faces 200 counts of involuntary manslaughter,
and each pleaded innocent to charges, the first criminal counts
handed down after the tragedy. The Derderians were freed on $5,000
bail each, Biechele posted $10,000 bail.
The fire started just moments into Great White’s February 20th
show in West Warwick, Rhode Island, when the band’s stage
pyrotechnics ignited soundproofing foam in the venue. The fire
quickly consumed the Station; 200 fans were injured and Great White
guitarist Ty Longley was among those killed. The band and the
club’s owners offered differing stories as to whether the
pyrotechnics were authorized.
Several civil suits against the principals involved in the fire
have also been filed.