NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- The criminal investigation into the deadly Rhode Island nightclub fire now involves at least four states where club owners say the band Great White used pyrotechnics without permission.
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
Thousands Mourn Victims
IDs Could Take Days
Family, Friends Search
The Investigation
Investigators Inspect Soundproofing
Pyrotechnics Examined in Clubs
Disasters Prompt Inspections
Sprinklers Not Required
Nightclub Up to Code Before Fire
No Warning of Pyro Use
Pyrotechnics Usually Safe
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
The band's stage show is believed to have started Thursday's fire at the Station nightclub in West Warwick, R.I., that left nearly 100 people dead. The band has said it had permission to use pyrotechnics, a claim disputed by the club's owners.
Club officials in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida and Maine also say the band failed to notify them it was going to use pyrotechnics at shows earlier this month. Investigators have met with club officials in at least three of those states.
Domenic Santana, owner of the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, said New Jersey State Police investigators asked him whether the band used the special effects at their Feb. 14 show without notice.
Santana said he told them the band had not asked permission and then used pyrotechnics anyway. He said the band's contract and other documents did not mention pyrotechnics and that stage managers didn't see the effects when the set up the band.
Sgt. Kevin Rehmann, a spokesman for the New Jersey State Police, said Monday the interviews were conducted last week but refused to discuss details.
Rui Farias, director of marketing for the Pinellas Expo Center in Pinellas Park, Fla., said the band used fireworks at a Feb. 7 show without informing the venue or promoter, Past 2 Present Productions.
``If they would have brought up the pyro to use we would have OK'd it,'' said promoter Tim Bryant, adding the size of the 5,000-seat venue minimized the risk. ``At a nightclub, it should never have been used.''
Bryant said he had been contacted by law enforcement officials from the West Warwick Police, Rhode Island State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms.
In Maine, the state fire marshal announced a ban on indoor pyrotechnics Monday while investigators met with the owner, staff and lawyers for Russell's, a Bangor club where Great White performed last Tuesday.
Pyrotechnics were used at the Bangor concert, though a lawyer for club owner Alex Gray said his client never gave permission.
Besides those shows, the band allegedly used pyrotechnics without notice at its Feb. 13 show in Allentown, Pa., according to Crocodile Rock Cafe owner Joe Clark. It could not immediately be determined Monday whether investigators had questioned cafe officials.
