PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Members of the rock group Great White have been subpoenaed by prosecutors and said Tuesday they will appear before a grand jury investigating whether criminal charges should be filed in the nightclub inferno that killed 97 people.
The fire also injured nearly 190 people; about 60 remain hospitalized, including 39 in critical condition.
The band all could be indicted on such charges as involuntary manslaughter or second-degree murder.
Investigators of the Rhode Island nightclub disaster tried to determine yesterday whether the soundproofing material that burst into flames was highly flammable polyurethane foam, which shouldn't have been installed in the first place. State law bars flammable acoustic material from bars.
The Rhode Island club did not have sprinklers.
The band has said it received approval to use the special effects, but the club's owners have denied giving permission.
Domenic Santana, owner of Asbury Park's Stone Pony, the storied club associated with Bruce Springsteen, also said no notice was given when Great White used pyrotechnics for a Valentine's Day show before 260 patrons.
''It could have been the St. Valentine's Day massacre,'' Santana said. No injuries or damage occurred at that show.
Pyrotechnics are not allowed at the Stone Pony because of its low ceiling, and John DeCapua, the club's sound man. He said pyrotechnic equipment must have been brought onto the stage just before the music started.
''It wasn't even on stage until the last minute,'' he said. ''This was a very, very astute, detail oriented crew, but they just happened to leave out that.''
http://www.cbc.ca/clips/ram-lo/erwin_nightfire_cc030221.ram
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I really think the band is guilty of manslaughter for being so negligent. It really makes me mad. Stupid idiots.
The fire also injured nearly 190 people; about 60 remain hospitalized, including 39 in critical condition.
The band all could be indicted on such charges as involuntary manslaughter or second-degree murder.
Investigators of the Rhode Island nightclub disaster tried to determine yesterday whether the soundproofing material that burst into flames was highly flammable polyurethane foam, which shouldn't have been installed in the first place. State law bars flammable acoustic material from bars.
The Rhode Island club did not have sprinklers.
The band has said it received approval to use the special effects, but the club's owners have denied giving permission.
Domenic Santana, owner of Asbury Park's Stone Pony, the storied club associated with Bruce Springsteen, also said no notice was given when Great White used pyrotechnics for a Valentine's Day show before 260 patrons.
''It could have been the St. Valentine's Day massacre,'' Santana said. No injuries or damage occurred at that show.
Pyrotechnics are not allowed at the Stone Pony because of its low ceiling, and John DeCapua, the club's sound man. He said pyrotechnic equipment must have been brought onto the stage just before the music started.
''It wasn't even on stage until the last minute,'' he said. ''This was a very, very astute, detail oriented crew, but they just happened to leave out that.''
http://www.cbc.ca/clips/ram-lo/erwin_nightfire_cc030221.ram
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I really think the band is guilty of manslaughter for being so negligent. It really makes me mad. Stupid idiots.
