An Immediate Lesson from the Horror and Tragedy in Rhode Island

JeffHead.com ^ | February 21, 2003 | Jeff Head

[Jeff Head]

Tragedy and Abject Horror in Rhode Island

People trapped at the front door of The Station as the fire approaches ... and then The Station fully engulfed

Here is a first hand account that was apparently posted on www.metal-sludge.com by an eye-witness to the senseless and horrific events at The Station Night Club in Rhode Island on February 20, 2003 where 100 or more people died.

From metal-sludge: This email was just sent into us by Sludgeaholic George D. It's a chilling account of what he experienced at the Great White show last night.

My name is George D. I was at the Great White show on February 20th at The Station in Rhode Island. I would like to share with you my personal account of what can only be described as a tragedy. I warn you that my descriptions may be upsetting, but it affected me immensely. I was standing approximately 5 rows back from the front of the stage. If you've seen the video footage, I was one step behind the camera man as the tape begins. The band took the stage around 11PM. A small fireworks display ignited. It was a fan-like display. It lasted about 10-15 seconds. When it died down I could see that the back wall had started to catch fire. The walls that surround the stage area were covered with a foam, egg-crate, sound-proofing material. At the site of the first flame I knew something was wrong.

I made my way towards the only exit I knew of, the front door. The exit was approximately 500-700 ft. away from my position. I could hear people laughing and cheering at the flames, I assumed they thought it was part of the show. I was yelling at people to get out the door as I made my way out of the club. I looked over my shoulder and saw that the flames had shot up the sides of the walls and were now engulfing the ceiling. It was spreading FAST! At first the crowd was calm, but as the flames spread, I found the space around me shrinking. People were now panicking and rushing for the front door. The club was filling up with toxic smoke as I cut a sharp left to get out the door. I could not see anything at this point. I began choking on the smoke. I could not see the exit, but I knew it was in front of me. The flood of people finally pushed me through the door. I made my way to the parking lot.

I looked back and saw the stage section of the club engulfed with flames. The other half of the club was filled with black smoke. I could hear people screaming and windows breaking. I saw people breaking the windows and diving out. I returned to the building to help get the people out. When I returned to the front door, I could not believe what I was looking at. There were 35 or so people stuck in the door way. They were stacked in rows on top of each other, at least 7 rows high. Black smoke was pouring out above them. You could see that there were people behind them as well. A small group of people were pulling at the people in the pile to try and move them. I jumped up on the ramp and grabbed an arm. I pulled and pulled with all my strength just to try and move them. There were others helping me, but we could not move anyone. The smoke was getting really think and starting to choke me. I continued to pull. The smoke was just too much for me, I had to let go of the arm. It was the toughest decision I had to make and I am still trying to cope with it. I stepped away from the building as I watched the smoke start to cover my view. It was at this point I dropped to my knees and prayed. I am not as religious as I could be, but I needed to do it. I thanked my God for saving me. I prayed for the people still trapped inside. As I got up to leave, I saw the most horrifying image.

The flames had made there way to the doorway. The people on the top of the pile were on fire. There was nothing anyone could do for them. I watched as the fire grew around these poor, helpless people. I broke down right there. I could see them suffering and there was nothing I could do. I left the club as the Fire Department arrived. I did not want to get in their way. I drove down the street, but had to pull over, because I was so distraught. I called my wife and told her how much I loved her. I called everyone that I love and told them that I loved them. I spent the whole night thinking about what had happened. I did not sleep. Everytime I thought about it, I cried. I shook all night. I still shake a little as I type this. It upsets me everytime I repeat my story. I regret so much that I could not help more. However, I am so glad to be alive.

I know it people say it all the time, but I ask that you remind your loved ones how much you love them. You really don't know if it will be the last time you see them. I feel blessed that I have a loving family and dear friends. I do not blame Great White or The Station for what happened, it was just a tragic accident. I can only image the grief and suffering that these people are going through. My prayers are with the injured. My prayers are with the families of those who did not make it. I am comforted in knowing that the deceased are in a better place.

George D.

[Squantos]

I also picked up a loooong time ago the little "spares" container from surefire. It hold a spare bulb and 8 batteries. Waterproof and keeps all the pieces and spare parts in yer gear and go bag ready. I have the LED spare bulb as I figure if I'm away from home and I fry my first bulb the second "has" to last till I can find a spare. The LED surefire bulb is actually very bright also.

Stay Safe !

[Exit148]

"I learned my lesson that day. I always check for emergency exits and ways of getting out any building I am in."

I had an experience, altho not as threatening as yours, that makes me always check for exits. Also, when in a hotel room, I always have the key, and pocket book, in one particular spot so I can grab it without thinking. I also have a lighter attached to my keys along with a whistle. It pays to be 'street smart' in all situations.

[mommadooo3]

It is my understanding that the individual's account is legit
SOMETHING this stiff and stilted in style? Man, you're easy ...

Couldn't the 'stiffness and stiltednes' be due to someone 'else' doing a 'proof-reading' translation?
I read ANOTHER first-hand account earlier, and it made very LITTLE sense on the first read. It took a while to 'figure out' where the sentences started and ended. Where one subject/one thought ended and ANOTHER started up.

[GeekDejure]

We cannot remain dead and unobservant of what goes on around us in these times ... we cannot fail to act sensibly and quickly when we see danger ... either as individuals or as a society.

Islam is that danger !!!

The most heinous and barbaric crime in this world would be to stop an individual from thinking freely. And when such a crime is "legalized" in the form of a "religion," one can easily imagine how disastrous it can be.

Islam is such a religion !!!

Islam imposes a threat to the whole world . . . which is far worse than deforestation, nuclear destruction or AIDS. It is an insidious, devilish disease creeping into the veins of the world. Every individual must realize the destructive and evil nature of this religion, for it eats away at the very foundation of humanity, which is:

an individual's ability to think individually and act accordingly !!!

.

[artisan001]

Thanks for the ping, Jeff.

It pays to be observant.
I saw that some were questioning the veracity of the account because the account is too well written.

I think that the author had a cool enough head to realise what was going on, get out, and then try to help others.

He probably also has the presence of mind to write down his story in a coherent fashion.

[glock rocks]

oooh. yah, i saw those spares containers. good idea. my local sports shop was out of the spare bulbs... guess i'll pick up one of each type, and one of those containers. good idea.

btw, i've never had my car over 150 (didn't want to exceed the tire rating).

[harpseal]

A flashlight is such a little thing but in ordinary everyday circumstances it can prevent you and loved ones from sustaining perhaps death or serious injury. Even when I had jury duty in CT where I could not legally be armed, I could keep my maglite on my keys.

[harpseal]

Grrrr. Now I have to go out and get that accessory for my surefire. I carry the surefire everywhere but I also have a back up maglite on each of my keychains. The Maglite is a whole lot more affordable for day in day out uses and keep the surefire availabel for when and if it is absolutely needed.

[harpseal]

I always carry into the barber shop. The barber and I compare notes on sidearms.

[Squantos]

My general use light is a little Photon III light that is about the size of a quarter and only twice as thick. I keep one on my keychain and one on a neck lanyard. I added a small velcro dot to the underside of the brim of my baseball cap and tilley hat and the other part of the velcro dot to the little photon III light. Works real well as an adhoc head lamp for changing a tire or reading a book in camp.

They are cheap and I have not had to change a battery on em yet. I have a red one for flying needs and a white one for general purpose needs. My pocket Surefire is an E-2 with the TID thingy and a lanyard bead on a piece of parachute 550 cord that hangs out of jeans pocket, I don't like the pocket clip on it.

The TID and the Photon LED button light is well worth the duckets !

.........Stay Safe !!

[Jeff Head]

The freedom of choice, our Free Agency, is one of the greatest gifts endowed upon us by our Creator. It should be protected from infingement (either by individual criminals or tyrants) at all costs.

In life and materielly, it giives us the opportunity to rise to whatever level we aspire to and are willing to work hard and sacrifice for within the constraint of not violating the same right in others.

Spiritually, it allows us to choose freely to follow Him who gave the gift and thus find favor in His sight .. both now and in the hereafter.

This is the principle reason, in my estimation, why this nation ... this Republic, has been so blessed for so long.

[Jeff Head]

I agree. I believe the account is genuine ... not only because of the logic you presented ... but because of the voice from within that evoked my own response to it.

I may be wrong about this individual's account (though I don;t think so) ... but I know I am not wrong about the lesson we can take from what happened there.

[Jeff Head]

This entire country needs to be prepared and looking carefully around. The government needs to be getting rid of the potential domestic pyrotechnics - the illegal aliens, but firstly the Islamic ones - and stop playing to the assembled, cheering crowd

Very well said ... and very true. Those who are here illegally, particularly from those agressor regions of the globe, shjould be forthwith expelled in any case.

I pray we will do this sooner, rather than later.

[Jeff Head]

Thank you for those kind words ... they are far too kind, but if I can perform as you indicate for my own children at the very least, I will count my sorjourn on this earth a success.

[PistolPaknMama]

Jeff, maybe I have missed something, but I do not see the relevance of your analogy and the simple act of getting in my car and taking the chance that some drunk diver will not cream into me head on. The internet has been riddled with this terrible tragedy, and while I feel terrible for the families, there is no difference in the blind faith of these people attending a rock concert and the blind faith of you getting in your car to go to work in the morning. There are infinitely more significant tragedies of injustice that occur daily. This incident does not "promote conservatisim" and my question is: Why is it so important to FReeRepublic?

Again, I am not attempting in any way to downplay the terrible tragedy, I just do not see that it is relevant to Free Republic nor 154 posts at the time of my post. If there is something I don't know, please enlighten me.

[Jeff Head]

The analogy applies because an individual who was eye witness to the tragedy survived largely because he was alert, saw the danger and then acted prudently and swiftly to it. Others thought that the dramatically increased danger was part of the show ... still others noticed no danger because of their state of mind at the time.

Our nation faces danger today that has increased dramatically. Some do not see it, others scoff at it, others think its part of the "show".

Like this tragedy, if we are not aware, observant, vigilant and willing to act wisely, resolutely and with dispatch to the rising danger, we may suffer terribly.

That's a straight forward as I can make it. The same analogy could be drawn in auto driving. If you are not alert to road and other driver conditions, and prepared to act accordingly ... you could easily be terribly injured or die.

Our nation needs those same qualities.

That's all.

[PistolPaknMama]

Our nation needs those same qualities.

Can't agree with you more!

[ForGod'sSake]

Pardon me if it is too graphic, or too soon ... but I had to relate it and get it down on "paper".

Not a problem. Others have expressed similar thoughts as mine, i.e. What could have caused the people in the club to continue to stand around and watch as the place began to go up in flames??? I can't help but wonder what I would have done in the same situation; the lesson is well taken. If something looks amiss; do something! It's almost as if their fight or flight instinct wasn't in place. Alcohol???

I am rarely in a crowded environment, but the inferno in RI will force me to assess EVERY situation encountered EVERY day. Where are the doors/windows? How difficult will it be to get there in the event of a sudden event? Who is with me that may need my alertness to survive? I think of grandkids here and it makes me shudder. The term situational awareness is military in origin is it not? We would do well to remember, no?

Thanks for the post.

FGS

[joanie-f]

Thanks for the ping, Jeff.

I posted the following on another thread recently, and I believe it (especially the bold type) applies here as well:

This nation was founded by decent, visionary men (yes men, and white men, to boot) whose goal was to establish a country whose people harbored a genuine, undying reverence for the God-given gifts of life and individual liberty. (Sometimes the simplest things are the most beautiful .... and the most difficult to retain. They are so easily taken for granted). In an effort to establish that vision, our Founders also drew up a blueprint for minimal government, whose role would be the same: to respect and defend life and individual liberty. Nothing more, and nothing less. Both within our borders and without.

Of course, over the past two-plus centuries, there have been many glaring exceptions to the life/liberty reverence (both in our government’s relation to us, and in its interference in other nations’ affairs .... the most recent being the inglorious period from 1992-2000). But, as a rule, America has continued to stand for those two noble concepts -- both here, and wherever else they have been threatened, and wherever we felt called to intervene in their defense. Greece under Truman, and Grenada under Reagan, are just two of dozens of examples that come to mind

There are (always have been, and always will be) people, and belief systems, in this world in which neither human life nor individual liberty are considered of significant worth. And it is with those people, and belief systems, that the fundamental vision of this nation has been at odds for more than two centuries. Communism and radical Islam are the two most provocative enemies that we have known in that regard in my lifetime. But there will always be forces at work which seek to destroy life and liberty for the sake of power/ideology/’religious doctrine’. Those forces go by different names, but under the façade lurks the same dark and devious heart that seeks to declare some men of less value than others.

Something that has troubled me for a long time now is the increasing movement in this country toward diminishing the value of both (life and liberty). And in continuing to allow that erosion of vision to happen, we are losing our once-unique and noble identity. (There are those who say the demeaning of life and liberty has always been a definitive part of this culture .... it was merely more covert in the past. I don’t agree.)

We need only look to events of last weekend to see the latest evidence of this erosion: In Washington DC, a man was gunned down in broad daylight at a gas station, while onlookers continued to passively pump their gas, pay for their purchase, and drive away. No one called 911 for many minutes, and the onlookers seemed completely disconnected from the violence that took place just a few feet away. They went on with their mundane activities as if an insect, rather than another human being, had been extinguished in front of their eyes.

In Chicago, twenty-one (or more) people were trampled to death by fellow party-ers when a large group of people were frightened by the existence of chemical mace in the room in which they were dancing/drinking. Human beings, believing that their own lives were more valuable than the lives of those unfortunate enough to be in front of them, stampeded over other human beings, crushing or suffocating them .... ending their lives in a heartbeat.

Yes, these are hideous exceptions to the rule, but they are becoming more prevalent exceptions with the passage of time .... and with the re-programming of our national conscience.

I live in an area of the country in which people, in large part, cling to the values and traditions of the nineteenth century. Some people ridicule this area as being ‘behind the times.’ Yet people in rural areas such as this are more closely aligned with the values and vision of our founders.

Take last Monday, for example. We experienced a 26”- 28” snowfall. My husband is under the weather just now, so I spent about four hours very early that morning attempting to shovel out our driveway and the road to the mailbox. When neighbors saw that I was alone in doing that, no less than five of them came over to help. Such behavior is not uncommon here. It is a way of life.

What concerns me is that we, as a nation, are falling away from serving as an example that other nations can emulate. Our people are becoming more and more like those in DC who continued pumping their gas, or those in Chicago who, in their self-serving panic, didn’t give a damn about the torturous death they were inflicting on others .... and less like my neighbors .... with each passing day.

There are many reasons for the decay (the gradual, but continual, removal of God from our public consciousness, parental permissiveness, the influence of television/entertainment, the welfare/entitlement state, the leftist curricula in public and higher education, etc.). But the most unfortunate outcome of that time when the less than noble finally outnumber the noble in this country will be that there will be no nation willing to stand as an example, or step in when stepping in to preserve life or liberty is necessary (and whether the stepping in is popular with the majority of mankind or not). Because the sad fact is that the majority of mankind, if given the choice, tends to choose the path of least resistance. It’s the nature of the beast. But, up until now (and with few exceptions), it has not been the nature of this republic.

[swarthyguy]

Thanks Jeff.

What got me was the VideoCam who kept filming the people stuck inthe entrance/exit. He could've lent a hand and put the darn cam down for a few.