The Incident
First-In: Heroic Rescues
Death Toll Rises to 97
At Least 96 Dead in Inferno
Rescuers Struggle with Horror
Fire, Smoke Turns Club Into Hell
Discuss the Warwick Tragedy
The Aftermath
Butterfly Garden to Be Dedicated
State Turns Over Evidence
State Turns Over Evidence
FBI Agent to Review Corruption
Group To Fundraise For Memorial
Two Dozen Defendants Added
R.I. To Release More Tapes
Judge: 911 Calls 'Secret'
Lawsuit From Nightclub Fire Filed
Consultants Fault Lack Of Planning
Judge: Evidence Will Be Preserved
Gag Order Sought in Club Fire
Changes to Safety Laws Since Fire
Few Changes After Club Blaze
Web Site Comforts RI Patients
RI Gov. Orders Strict Inspections
2 Families Sue in RI Club Blaze
RI Nightclub Claims May Total $1B
RI Nightclub Death Toll Rises to 98
Victims Face Long Recovery
All But 4 Victims ID'd
Thousands Mourn Victims
IDs Could Take Days
Family, Friends Search
9/11 Widow Reflects
Survivors Recall Heroic Acts
The Investigation
Patron Capacity Unclear in RI Fire
Band Member Testifies
RI Reports Don't Mention Foam
Fire Inspector Report Released
Post-9/11 Drills Aid Club Rescue
Federal Team Launches Probe
Grand Jury Begins Probe
Brannigan: Inspectors Ready?
Investigation Ramps Up
Investigators Check Soundproof
Pyrotechnics Examined in Clubs
Disasters Prompt Inspections
Sprinklers Not Required
Nightclub Up to Code Before Fire
Town Withholds Records
RI Begins Inspections
No Warning of Pyro Use
Pyrotechnics Usually Safe
Atty: RI Club Rep. OK'd Pyrotech.
Fire Challenges State Atty. Gen.
IDs Weighed Heavy on Dentists
FEMA Denies Disaster Aid for Fire
Photos & Video
IBS Scene SlideShow
ABC: The Fire Starts
WJAR Video Feedroom
History of Tragedies
Carter: History Strikes Again
Fire, Life Safety Laws in Front
Tragedy Recalls Cocoanut Grove
Worst Club Tragedies
Nightclub Disasters Too Familiar
List: Worst Club Tragedies
Related Sites
West Warwick Fire Department
Warwick Fire Department
FH Network: Rhode Island
Providence Journal Coverage
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- Federal prosecutors say they've found no evidence of corruption relating to the state's probe of a nightclub fire that killed 100 people, and will not launch a full scale investigation into the matter.
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Providence had received a request by the father of a victim of the fire to investigate why the state had charged only three people in connection with the blaze.
David Kane, the father of 18-year-old Nicholas O'Neill who died in the February 2003 fire at The Station, claimed corruption and politics were the reasons town fire inspectors were never indicted.
In a Sept. 24 letter to Kane, the U.S. Attorney's Office said that a preliminary review showed, ``no evidence of impropriety, nor any apparent grounds for further investigation at this time.''
A state grand jury indicted the club's owners and the former tour manager for the band whose pyrotechnics sparked the fire. Each has pleaded innocent to 200 counts of involuntary manslaughter.
``We have not seen anything that would lead us to believe that the investigation performed by the Rhode Island State Police and the Attorney General's office was anything less than thorough, honest and professional,'' said U.S. Attorney Robert Corrente in the letter.
Kane acknowledged he had no evidence to back his claims. He said he's upset the federal office has dropped its review.
``If we learn of any information from any source which would justify further review or investigation, we will give that information the serious consideration it deserves,'' the letter said.
The attorney general's office maintained it conducted a comprehensive investigation driven by ``facts, evidence and the law,'' said Mike Healey, a spokesman for the attorney general.