Club owners, tour manager charged in fatal fire

WARWICK, R.I. – The owners of the nightclub where 100 people were killed in a fire last February were indicted on involuntary manslaughter charges Tuesday along with the tour manager for the rock band whose pyrotechnics sparked the blaze.

Club owners Jeffrey and Michael Derderian each were charged with 200 counts of involuntary manslaughter – two counts for each of the 100 deaths.

They were charged for having the flammable soundproofing foam that caused the fire to spread, and for alleged negligence in their management of the club.

Great White tour manager Dan Biechele was charged with 200 counts of involuntary manslaughter for setting off the stage fireworks that ignited the fire.

“I understand that no grand jury finding would or could ever speak to the profound suffering and sorrow the victims and their loved ones have endured,” state Attorney General Patrick Lynch said in announcing the indictments after meeting privately with survivors and victims’ families.

All three men pleaded innocent Tuesday, and they were released after posting bail. Bail for the club owners was set at $5,000 cash, while bail for Biechele was set at $10,000 cash. Involuntary manslaughter carries up to 30 years in prison.

“They are not criminals. They did not commit any criminal acts and they should not be charged with any crime,” said Jeffrey Pine, attorney for Jeffrey Derderian.

“While we are deeply sympathetic to the victims, the fact remains that Dan Biechele is not guilty of the charges brought in this case,” said Biechele’s attorney, Tom Briody.

“He could not have known of the dangerous conditions that existed inside The Station.”

The indictment marks the first criminal charges to result from the Feb. 20 fire at The Station nightclub.

About 200 people were injured in what was one of the deadliest fires in the nation’s history.