These are most likely the Gerbs used by Great White that ignited that horrific fire.

Pyropak ^

[SirFishalot]

PYROPAK® Gerbs

DESCRIPTION PYROPAK® Gerbs are tube devices which produce a dense plume of sparks with little or no fallout. Each is labeled according to color and performance. Each label gives two numbers, such as 10 x 12 or 8 x 8. The first number refers to the duration, or burn time, in seconds. The second number refers to the clearance height needed, in feet, when the device is fired vertically.

SAFETY A 10 x 12 Gerb, for example, burns 10 seconds with a vertical spark height of just under 12 feet (3.65 meters). Be certain there is enough clearance for the rated height of the Gerb you have chosen, as indicated by the second number in the rating. As always, when using any pyrotechnic effect outdoors, be sure to calculate the possible effects of wind on your safety clearances. The devices can also be fired at an angle, in a "V" configuration, but the height, distance and amount of fallout may be different from when they are fired vertically. A Gerb fired at an angle can throw sparks laterally a considerable distance, and remember, once a Gerb is fired it cannot be extinguished until it burns out. Always test fire your system before the performance to make sure that the effect is safe and is what you want visually. All PYROPAK® Gerbs are designed for use with PYROPAK® equipment only. For example, they may be used in a Gerb Fan Holder or a Fast Sparkle Pot. Before using your Gerb, be sure to read the instruction manual that accompanied your system and, most importantly, the safety precautions. If you do not have a PYROPAK® manual for your system, please contact LUNA TECH, INC. and we’ll gladly send you one. We also recommend that you read NFPA 1126 “Code for the Use of Pyrotechnics Before a Proximate Audience”. You can get a copy of this very informative and useful document by contacting the NFPA Publications Office at +1-800-344-3555, or by mail at: NFPA, PO Box 9101, Quincy, MA 02269-9101, USA.

SET UP PYROPAK® Gerbs are designed to be fired electrically, by means of an Electric Match (EM) inserted through the black plastic cap into the TOP of the tube. Note: The EM always enters the TOP of the tube, and that the device is correctly installed when the BLACK CAP IS UP. The following procedure uses a Gerb Fan Holder as an example for installing Gerbs: 1. Remove the key from the Controller. Keep it with you while loading. Unplug the Controller (Turn off the PYROPAK® III Controller). 2. Put on the safety glasses supplied with your system. 3. Insert the Gerbs in the holder with the black cap up. Up to three Gerbs can be fired simultaneously from one Gerb fan; they cannot be fired individually. Do not over-tighten the thumbscrews on the Gerb Holders. Excessive tightening may result in damage to the tube, causing the Gerb to malfunction 4. Spread the EM wires and connect them to the terminal strip on the transformer box, as shown in your system manual. Be sure to tighten the screws securely on the terminal strip to ensure good electrical continuity. 5. Before inserting the EM into the Gerb, test your connections according to your system manual, being careful to follow all safety precautions. Again, if you do not have a PYROPAK® manual for your system, please contact LUNA TECH, INC. and we’ll send you one. 6. Carefully push the head of the EM through the hole in the center of the black plastic cap until the bulb of the EM head is just inside the cap, about 3/16 inch, NO FARTHER! (Remember: Do not insert the EM until the connections have been made and tested.) The EM must be expelled by the ignition to prevent malfunction. NEVER PLACE TAPE OR ANY OTHER RESTRICTIVE MATERIAL OVER THE EM TO HOLD IT IN PLACE! Take care not to damage the EM head or the insulation 7. Look to make sure it is safe to fire the effect, and if so, arm and fire on cue.

[Rebelbase]

Adding images

[spodefly]

Thanks for the tech update. I have been around these gerbs at several shows (industrial events) and the sparks they produce do not seem especially harmful or long-lasting. I have seen them hit velour draping with no effect. I wonder about the sound absorbing material placed on the walls of the club. That was obviously a very flammable material if these sparks were enough to set it ablaze.

[FreedomPoster]

Good post. It looks like the user instructions cover the manufacturer very well from misuse by an end user, but then I am not a lawyer and don't have any problem defining "is" one way.

[billorites]

Who reads instructions?

[FreedomPoster]

On another thread, a FReeper observed he had seen a similar "eggcrate" foam material go into an incinerator, and that the material with which he was familiar burned readily with nasty black smoke.

[TLBSHOW]

bump

[Hatteras]

Another warning: You should also never fire bottle rockets horizontally at unwitting couples making out under the moonlight at the end of a long dock. There is only one egress and the female half of the above mentioned couple will get really upset. Really....

[dead]

LOL! When I was in college, we used to shoot at people with bottle rockets (using a pipe from the vacuum like a bazooka.)

One day we scored a direct hit on some guy who lived across the street. We ducked out of view, but the smoke trail leading directly to our window gave us away.

He showed up with the cops a little while later, and we denied everything. He pointed to the burn-hole in his t-shirt and yelled, "What the hell does this look like?!"

Neither he nor the cop were amused when my friend answered "New Jersey?" but it really was shaped like the state.

[Hatteras]

"Neither he nor the cop were amused when my friend answered "New Jersey?"

Now that's funny, some people just don't have a sense of humor, sheesh...

[goron]

 

Desert Moon
(Lardie, Niven, Kendall, Russell)

Let's shake this town baby
Come with me
I need a little lovin' company
C'mon now
I know where we can go
This is the time
T'stay out all night
I've gotta fire
Like a heavenly light
C'mon baby
Let's take a drive

 

C'mon baby
Let's do it right
Time to dance
In the magic light
Of the desert moon

Come on honey
Let's get it right
Make romance
In the magic light
Of the desert moon

 

Let's lay it down
Under a cactus tree
Give a little lovin' ecstacy

C'mon now
It's time to go
Little baby
You're a beautiful sight
I've got the love
And we have the night
C'mon baby
It's time to fly

 

 

CONFIRMED DEAD in hospital (2)

Linda Suffoletto, Glocester, R.I, at Massachusetts General Hospital

Kelly Viera, West Warwick, R.I, at Boston Shriners Hospital

 

CONFIRMED DEAD at the scene (96)

Louis S. Alves, 33, of Lincoln.

Kevin Anderson, 37, of Warwick.

Stacie Angers, 29, of Worcester, Mass.

Christopher Arruda, 30, of Coventry.

Eugene Avilez, 21, of Burlington, Mass.

Tina Ayer, 33, of Warwick.

Karla Bagtaz, 41, of Randolph, Mass.

Mary H. Baker, 32, of Fall River, Mass.

Thomas Barnett, 38, of West Greenwich.

Laureen Beauchaine, 35, of West Warwick.

Steven Thomas Blom, 38, of Cranston.

William Christopher Bonardi, 36, of Smithfield.

Kristine Carbone, 38, of Taunton, Mass.

Richard A. Cabral Jr., 37, of Attleboro, Mass.

William Cartwright, 42, of Pawtucket.

Edward B. Corbett III, 31, of West Warwick.

Michael Cordier, 31, of Westerly.

Alfred Crisostomi, 38, of Warwick.

Robert Croteau, 31, of Fall River, Mass.

Lisa D'Andrea, 42, of Barrington.

Matthew P. Darby, 36, of Coventry.

Dina Ann DeMaio, 30, of West Warwick.

Albert Anthony DiBonaventura, 18, of North Dighton, Mass.

Christina DiRienzo, 37, Plymouth, Mass.

Kevin J. Dunn, 37, of Attleboro, Mass.

Lori K. Durante, 40, of West Warwick.

Edward Ervanian, 29, of Cranston.

Thomas Fleming, 30, of Worcester, Mass.

Rachael K. Florio-DePietro , 31, of Coventry.

Mark A. Fontaine, 22, of Johnston.

Daniel Frederickson, 37, of Coventry.

Michael Fresolo, 32, of Worcester, Mass.

James Gahan, 21, of Falmouth, Mass.

Melvin Gerfin, 46, of Groton, Conn.

Laura Gillett, 32, of Pembroke, Mass.

Charline Elaine Gingras-Fick, 35, of Central Falls.

Michael James Gonsalves, 40, of Warwick.

James Gooden, 37, of Cranston.

Derek Gray, 22, of Dracut, Mass.

Skott Greene, 35, of Warwick.

Scott Griffith, 41, of West Warwick.

Bonnie L. Hamelin, 27, of Warwick.

Jude Henault, 37, of Lisbon, Conn.

Andrew Hoban, 22, of North Kingstown.

Abbie L. Hoisington, 28, of Cranston.

Michael Hoogasian, 31, of Cranston.

Sandy Hoogasian, 27, of Cranston.

Carlton "Bud" Howorth III, 39, of Norton, Mass.

Eric James Hyer, 22, of Scituate.

Derek Brian Johnson, 32, of West Warwick.

Lisa Kelly, 27, of Swansea, Mass.

Tracy F. King, 39, of Warwick.

Michael Joseph Kulz, 30, of Warwick.

Keith Lapierre, 29, of Worcester, Mass.

Dale Latulippe, 46, of Carver, Mass.

Stephen M. Libera, 21, of North Kingstown.

John M. Longiaru, 23, of Johnston.

Ty Longley, 31, of Northridge, Calif.

Andrea Mancini, 28, of Johnston.

Keith A. Mancini, 34, of Cranston.

Steven Mancini, 39, of Johnston.

Judith Manzo, 37, of North Providence.

Thomas Frank Marion Jr., 27, of Westport, Mass.

Jeffrey Martin, 33, of Melrose, Mass.

Tammy Mattera-Housa, 29, of Warwick.

Kristen McQuarrie, 37, of Ledyard, Conn.

Thomas Medeiros, 40, of Coventry.

Samuel Miceli, 37, of Lisbon, Conn.

Donna M. Mitchell, 29, of Fall River, Mass.

Leigh Ann Moreau, 21, of Providence.

Ryan M. Morin, 31, of Boston, Mass.

Jason Morton, 38, of West Greenwich.

Beth Mosczynski, 33, of Millbury, Mass.

Katherine O'Donnell, 26, of Seekonk, Mass.

Nicholas Philip O'Neill, 18, of Pawtucket.

Matthew James Pickett, 33, of Bellingham, Mass.

Carlos L. Pimentel Sr., 38, of West Warwick.

Christopher Prouty, 24, of Pawtucket.

Theresa Rakoski, 30, of Taunton, Mass.

Jeffrey Rader, 32, of Danville, Calif.

Robert L. Reisner III, 29, of Coventry.

Walter Rich, 40, of Attleboro, Mass.

Donald Roderiques, 46, of Mashpee, Mass.

Tracey Romanoff, 32, of Coventry.

Joseph Rossi, 35, of Pawtucket.

Bridget Sanetti, 25, of Coventry.

Rebecca Shaw, 24, of Warwick.

Dennis Smith, 36, of Pawtucket.

Victor Stark, 39, of West Yarmouth, Mass.

Benjamin Suffoletto, 43, of Glocester.

Shawn Sweet, 28, of Pembroke, Mass.

Jason Sylvester, 24, of Coventry.

Sarah Jane Telgarsky, 37, of Plainfield, Conn.

Kevin Washburn, 30, of Franklin, Mass.

Everett "Tommy" Woodmansee, 30, of Charlestown.

Robert Daniel Young, 29, of Taunton, Mass.

 

1. Exit Sign not properly lit.
2. Cheap Highly flamable packing material used in place of flame retardent
Sound Proofing.
3. Security telling customers they could not use a specific side exit to
leave because it was only for the band.
4. Regular over crowding of club.
5. Photos just released show the sound man next to a box of explosives after
he told people he wasn't aware that any pyrotechnics were being used.
6. Reports that Pyrotechnics were used many other times at the club. Photos
confirm this.

More addresses to know
Posted Sunday, March 2, 2003

Any memories (video, photos, etc) you'd like to share with Baby Longley can be sent to:

Baby Longley
P.O. Box 1247
Plainfield, IL 60544-1247

RI Relief Funds:

Station Fire Victims Fund
c/o Citizens Bank
56 Rolfe St.
Cranston, RI 02910

The Station Fire Victim Fund
Centreville Savings Bank
1218 Main St.
West Warwick, RI 02893

Office of Community Services
184 Broad St.
Providence, RI 02903
(Indicate West Warwick Fire Emergency Fund in check memo)

Catholic Charity Fund
80 St. Mary Drive
Cranston, RI 02920
(Indicate West Warwick Fire Emergency Fund in check memo)