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.

[jwalsh07]

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

This sentence doesn't make much sense unless I am grossly underestimating the size of the club.

[Jeff Head]

The ignorance or callous disregard to the danger and the inability to recognize it for what it was and then act pervaded the entire place but for a very few.

I pray we take the lesson, given events around us all.

[Tall_Texan]

Not to minimize the horror, but color me a tad dubious.

For someone who supposedly is still trembling as he types, he manages to write an entire account with no spelling errors and only one slight grammatical error.

Considering how many posters on a typical bbs make obvious spelling and grammatical errors, this person must either be a person of incredible focus to detail or he is somebody who runs everything through a spell-checker. Otherwise, I'm a bit suspicious that this might be one of those "me too" syncophants wanting their 15 minutes of fame.

This is not, in any way, meant to disrepect the dead, their survivors or the other victims. Just the eye of critical analysis that FReepers tend to bring out in each other.

[ez]

It was indeed horrific to watch those 20 some persons you could see trapped in the door, and realize that very shortly they would burn.

Your point is well taken, even as you watch the video, that some were moving immediately to the exit while others were oblivious to the imminent danger. Anyone who witnessed ther horror of 9/11 and now says that we have Saddam "contained" is guilty of the same dangerous ignorance.

[Travis McGee]

I have been thinking about the dangers of panic stampedes for a long time, and how in the age of terror they can be intentionally manufactured to leverage mass death from ordinary means. I begin my novel with an intentionally manufactured panic stampede, it's obviously central to the plot, but I alse intend it to serve as a general warning to Americans quite apart from my novel's primary second amendment theme.

We had better deal with this panic stampede issue, or we will surely face the tragic consequences of ignoring it. HOW A STADIUM OR SPORTS ARENA CAN BE TURNED INTO A MASS DEATH TRAP

In the case I fictionally describe the precipitating immediate cause of the panic is a sniper firing into the crowd, but it could just as easily be accomplished by setting off pepper spray or dumping a few gallons of ammonia and yelling "poison gas!"

[Jeff Head]

I am just reciting the individual's own post and words. In the adrenaline rush and the urgency of the moment, such mistakes of perception are not uncommon. It was probably closer to 100 feet or a little more ... but that is just my clinical estimate from today's pictures when it is easy to make such an observation.

[Ciexyz]

Great White -- sheesh, I remember seeing their videos on MTV in the mid 80's. They did a remake of the Ian Hunter hit "Once Bitten Twice Shy".

[Jeff Head]

It is my understanding that the individual's account is legit ... it is posted on the other thread and on the web site reerenced ... but I cannot say for sure.

I just know what it evoked in me and it certainly jives with the horrific videos of those poor souls ... and I believe it is also a paramount lesson for us all.

[Travis McGee]

Something few people realize is that humans carry their own fuel in the form of fat. People burn, dead or alive, and the mind lasts until the very end. In the days of burning at the stake, only a small amount of kindling was piled around the ankles to ignite the legs, the living victim became a writhing screaming human torch. This has more recently been adapted with African "necklacing."

Shudder. Prayers for the dead and injured.

[_Jim]

My name is George D. I was at the Great White show on February 20th

This guy is a little too 'stilted' in his writing I would say - for writing an *article* BARELY hours old and into into the next day!

IMO THIS was written for release at some *future* date!

Which leads me to my point - THERE ARE a number of us who pointed out that this looks fake.

AND yeah, it's been *posted* before here on FR Jeff ..

[_Jim]

The exit was approximately 500-700 ft. ...

You've been sucked-in royal, pal.

[_Jim]

It is my understanding that the individual's account is legit

SOMETHING this stiff and stilted in style? Man, you're easy ...

[Fred Mertz]

The people stacked in the main entrance...that was horrific. I'd like to think I'm ready for anything, but that's not necessarily the truth. Thanks for posting this, Jeff Head.

[Jeff Head]

I agree 100% Trav ... and you can bet that our enemies understand it as well.

We have seen two very terrible, very fatal and very real-to-life examples in the last week. Chicago and now RI.

I am afraid it will take worse for the stampede mentality to wear off. Our people and our society simply have no reference to such situations ... and very few parents and schools take the time to train and raise individuals who do.

As you point out in your novel, it certainly can and will be used against us.

[MileHi]

Jeff, perhaps the author repesents the few who see the world for what it is, dangerous. If so, the dead represent the complacent who have lead such comfortable and safe lives that they take it for granted. Damn, that is a horrible metaphore.

FReegards amigo.

[visualops]

conditioned to hesitate

So very very true, sadly so.

Yours is a very important and timely observation, one we should all take to heart.
There are very serious happenings afoot, and we must all be vigilant.

[_Jim]

We live in very disturbing and dangerous times.

AND it would HELP a great deal if fire-retardant materials were used rather than the plastic-based material that *was* used ... did you see the thick black smoke that literally poured out the front door?

THAT'S why people perished (smoke inhalation) along with being trapped at the main entrance ...

[Travis McGee]

Take or leave the narrative, just look at the two pictures, realize that the human beings jammed in the doorways looking at you have only a few minutes to live, and will spend it burning alive.

Then stop nitpicking.

It really happened, _Jim.

[EternalVigilance]

Are You Ready?

They were just having fun
Waitin' for the show
Not a care in the world
All ready to roll

But so fast it was startling
Tragedy's swift flame
Struck them like lightning
The Grim Reaper came

It could happen to any
There is no guarantee
That there is a tomorrow
For you or for me

So, count all your blessings
Look to the Lord and pray
Be thankful, my friends
For the gift of today

EV

[Jeff Head]

I know that has been posted here on FR _Jim. I mentioned that in the thread above, that it was a particular number post on the main thread.

I removed the guy's last name to try and give him some annonomity since I posted it on my site.

My purpose here was to point out the analogy.

But, as always, thanks for the BUMP ... please continue.