http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20030225/4894916s.htm
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Warrants, subpoenas issued in club inferno R.I. frustrated with owners
By Fred Bayles
USA TODAY
WEST WARWICK, R.I. -- Rhode Island officials issued search warrants and subpoenas on Monday to determine responsibility for a nightclub fire that killed 97 people.
Meanwhile, hundreds of people attended two nighttime memorials for the dead.
Walking to a vigil at the city's high school sports center, Lisa Lopes of Providence said she would be going to two funerals.
''I've been living and breathing this since I heard the news,'' she said. ''This is going to be with us for a long time.''
The fire was started by a pyrotechnics display used by the band Great White. It was the worst fire in state history.
On Monday, detectives searched the home of Michael Derderian, who co-owns the club with his brother, Jeffrey, in pursuit of records of the club's bookings. Ed McPherson, a lawyer for Great White, said band members have been subpoenaed to appear before a grand jury next week.
Among the things investigators are looking at is whether the club told the band it could use the fireworks though no permit was issued for such a display. They are also looking at whether the soundproofing material above the stage was of a highly flammable type.
The club owners say the band did not ask permission to use pyrotechnics; the band says it did. The club passed a fire inspection Dec. 31, but it was not known whether the soundproofing was checked.
Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch expressed impatience with the club owners' level of cooperation.
''Michael Derderian and Jeffrey Derderian should answer the questions that we all have,'' Lynch said. ''It may bring some solace to (victims' families) to bring this to justice.''
Managers at clubs where Great White played previously said the band had on occasion used pyrotechnics without permission. Musicians who have played at The Station said that they used pyrotechnics at the club. Whether the fireworks were used under the current ownership is unclear.
At the West Warwick High School sports center, all 2,000 seats were filled with people who heard words of comfort about the support given to the victims' families. ''What you're doing is helping and supporting those families who have been through absolute hell for the past four days,'' Gov. Donald Carcieri said.
Page 1A
Warrants, subpoenas issued in club inferno R.I. frustrated with owners
By Fred Bayles
USA TODAY
WEST WARWICK, R.I. -- Rhode Island officials issued search warrants and subpoenas on Monday to determine responsibility for a nightclub fire that killed 97 people.
Meanwhile, hundreds of people attended two nighttime memorials for the dead.
Walking to a vigil at the city's high school sports center, Lisa Lopes of Providence said she would be going to two funerals.
''I've been living and breathing this since I heard the news,'' she said. ''This is going to be with us for a long time.''
The fire was started by a pyrotechnics display used by the band Great White. It was the worst fire in state history.
On Monday, detectives searched the home of Michael Derderian, who co-owns the club with his brother, Jeffrey, in pursuit of records of the club's bookings. Ed McPherson, a lawyer for Great White, said band members have been subpoenaed to appear before a grand jury next week.
Among the things investigators are looking at is whether the club told the band it could use the fireworks though no permit was issued for such a display. They are also looking at whether the soundproofing material above the stage was of a highly flammable type.
The club owners say the band did not ask permission to use pyrotechnics; the band says it did. The club passed a fire inspection Dec. 31, but it was not known whether the soundproofing was checked.
Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch expressed impatience with the club owners' level of cooperation.
''Michael Derderian and Jeffrey Derderian should answer the questions that we all have,'' Lynch said. ''It may bring some solace to (victims' families) to bring this to justice.''
Managers at clubs where Great White played previously said the band had on occasion used pyrotechnics without permission. Musicians who have played at The Station said that they used pyrotechnics at the club. Whether the fireworks were used under the current ownership is unclear.
At the West Warwick High School sports center, all 2,000 seats were filled with people who heard words of comfort about the support given to the victims' families. ''What you're doing is helping and supporting those families who have been through absolute hell for the past four days,'' Gov. Donald Carcieri said.
