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.

[NY.SS-Bar9]

I never expected to be so old and serious--the second leads to the first.

Amen to that.

[openotherend]

I agree with you 100%. As a builder I find myself at times urging the owner to abide by the existing codes. I've seen high school exit doors chained to keep someone from letting an individual in at a $2.00 basketball game.

In this instance one small amount of accident prevention could have been implemented. Someone should have been standing there by the band with a fire extenguisher.

[First_Salute]

I was especially concerned about this particular fuel depot, because there are three Islamic "motor pools" in the area --- foreign car garages which appear to be garages but seem to be nothing more than "Islamic coffee houses."

[First_Salute]

Bump.

[glock rocks]

three tools i carry at all times...

sig p239 and two extra mags (yes -- to the barber shop, too)

surfire executive mini flashlight (mega bright torch)

and a renewed awareness that complacency can get you and yours killed...

stay aware. stay armed. stay safe. practice. carry. molon labe.

[Jeff Head]

We will either confront and deal with it, however -- or Our Nation will perish!

You are right. Our lifestyle and liberties as we know them, as they were passed on to us, as they were endowed to us by God ... will perish.

That is one of the principle object lessons of my book series.

[Jeff Head]

You are right ... and IMHO our nation should avoid and deal with the geo-poitical conditions that represent similar conditions on a larger scale.

[Jeff Head]

Ted understands ... my entire object is to take that lesson and then extrapolate it out to our current geo-political situation. The need to remain equally observant, vigilant and prepared to wisely and with dispatch act on what we observe is even more compelling there.

[Jeff Head]

We need to be alert, be safe and be armed. This leads to being alive.

... and I might add, we need to be willing to act prudently, wisely and with dispatch on what we are alert to and observe. Those qualities indeed mean the difference between life and death, individually and nationally.

[Jeff Head]

You are welcome ... but your words are far too kind.

Best Fregards down there in my native home.

[Jeff Head]

You are a man as physically prepared as can be ... would to God that more immulated such preparedness.

[Jeff Head]

I would not have been there with or without my wife. But my comments are not so much on his social choices (maybe his wife was sick ... maybe he had a friend in the band and the wife didn't like the music) as they are on his observance and quick, prudent actions.

In that regard, he is probably glad he did not have his wife with him in any case where it would have put her at great risk.

My principle point is that I believe we need a large dose of the same (remaining observant, vigilant and willing to act prudently and with dispatch) at the national level as well.

Best regards.

[LibKill]

I can draw some lessons from this:

1. Don't play with fire.

2. Keep your eyes and ears open, it may save your life.

[Rebelbase]

"The exit was approximately 500-700 ft. away from my position."

This must be an error in estimate. That building looked to be at the most 150-200' deep at most.

[firewalk]

Thanks for the ping....

[Squantos]

Did ya get the little TID accessory for that surefire yet ? Very Good Tewl !!..........

http://www.gggaz.com/products/tid.php

Stay Safe GR !

[Countyline]

lest we forget ...
Thank you, Jeff. You are diligent active, and a great role model, especially for your sons, those who know you (and for us all).

[glock rocks]

yup. got the TID about a month ago. also, surefire makes a nice little holster for about $20... got that and a dozen extra batteries last week.

folks at work know what a surefire is about... but when some friends or folks at the range see it the conversation usually goes something like:

wow, that's a cool flashlight! what'd ya give for that?

i'm into it about $120.

WHAT?!! are you NUTS?!!

(meanwhile there's about 4 grand in firearms in the pistol case in front of them. duh.)

[EVO X]

My principle point is that I believe we need a large dose of the same (remaining observant, vigilant and willing to act prudently and with dispatch) at the national level as well.

I happen to work in building that I would classify as a complete death trap. It has plenty of exits and fire alarms, but that won't help if an earth quake hits or mobs of students decide to get radical again. The building should be bulldozed, but it is classified as a national historical land mark. It really is a disaster waiting to happen...

[Gritty]

Most Americans still live in pre-911 La-La-Land, surrounded by a self-imposed "safe bubble". Then there are those who downright mock what effort goes on. I see the attitude among neighbors and friends all the time.

Sure, most are willing for the governmnent to take the war to Iraq or bin Laden, but are unwilling to do their part in it right here at home.

Because we live in a rural area, far from a major city, most people think they are safe from terrorists. But they still go to events like this one in West Warwick, which are perfect targets for a "Bali bombing" event (or arson, or some other such attack). For them, life goes on as normal, just as the Administration suggests.

They will not prepare themselves for an extended period without services or food delivery if we are cut off by a regional quarantine or a massive terrorist strike in a metro area, which causes massive dislocation and panic lasting for weeks or even months halting trucking, mail and electric power.

They are psychologically depending on "somebody" to come save them if something bad happens. To them, the "first responders" will always be there and things will go on as normal. They don't want to be seem as "alarmists" or even overly-concerned. For them, civil order will always be there. Hospitals will always have room and be there. Food, water and electricity will continue to flow in plenty. The police and fire department will come, just dial 911.

I'm afraid it will take a lot more grief and destruction in this country for "personal preparations" to get through to most people. Instead, they insist on waltzing through life as if invulnerable to the downsides which have been promised by the Islamicists.

Three days of food and water (and, ha ha, duct tape) may just not be enough, even if they take that tiny, anemic precaution. They will continue standing at the edge of the stage mesmerized by the pyrotechnics instead of taking steps to note the exits and then head for them purposefully if the flames start and the smoke starts to billow. Next thing they know, they are figuratively caught, jammed in the door, hoping somebody will come along and pull them out before they burn to death because of their blase' attitute!

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.

There are lots of lessons to be learned here. Most people won't take the time or effort to learn, unfortunately.