February 27, 2003 -- Surviving members of the band Great White talked to Rhode Island police yesterday at the scene of the deadly nightclub fire that was ignited by the band's pyrotechnic show.
Band members earlier had gone to a National Guard facility where a grand jury yesterday began weighing whether criminal charges should be lodged in connection with last Thursday's fire, which killed 97 people and injured nearly 200 more.
But neither band leader Jack Russell nor other Great White members testified before the grand jury, although they are expected to do so by early next week.
Great White's lawyer spoke with state prosecutors who are presenting evidence to the grand jury, before the band traveled to the ruins of The Station nightclub in West Warwick.
"This is the worst experience of my life," Russell told reporters. Great White guitarist Ty Longley was killed in the blaze.
Great White members claim Michael Derderian, one of two brothers who own The Station, gave the heavy-metal band permission to use pyrotechnics during its Feb. 20 show. But Michael's brother Jeffrey Derderian has said that no one associated with the band asked for permission to use the fireworks.
The debate - and how it is resolved - is crucial as the grand jury considers whether to indict the band members, the Derderians, or all of them.
The pyrotechnics ignited the soundproofing material around the stage, and the resulting fire quickly swept through the one-story wooden building. Many people were trapped in the fire because a crowd rushed to a single exit in front of the club instead of using side exits.
Jeffrey Derderian, who also is a television reporter in Providence, has hired former state attorney general Jeffrey Pine as his lawyer. Pine has said that neither Derderian brother has been subpoenaed by the grand jury yet.
Several employees of The Station have said the club allowed pyrotechnics by other musical performers before Great White. One of those people, stage manager Paul Vanner, has said he told Michael Derderian late last year he was worried about bands using pyrotechnics.
But at a press conference yesterday, Vanner said Great White had not notified The Station that the band would use fireworks at its show.
"I blame the band," Vanner said.
With Post Wire Services
