Have you ever heard the phrase, “Those who don’t learn from history will be doomed to repeat it?” Those are the wise words of George Santayana which have a broad application to many circumstances. Being in the fire protection industry, we have taken that truth and applied it to fire safety. By looking at fires in our nation’s history, we can learn lessons from tragic mistakes and do better. Lives are at stake, making it vitally important not to repeat the errors of the past. One tragic event we can learn from in the not-so-distant past is a fire that occurred in West Warwick, Rhode Island at the Station Night Club.
On February 20, 2003, tragedy unexpectedly struck in Rhode Island. At the Station Nightclub in West Warwick, a live band was putting on an exciting show for the attendees. In an attempt to make it spectacular, the band planned to have fireworks set off in the club. Unfortunately, what followed was devastating. Unintentionally, the fireworks ignited the foam insulation that surrounded the stage. Traveling from the foam to the ceiling, the flames spread both in distance and intensity. As the club filled with smoke, the terrified crowd realized that this wasn’t part of the act and desperately tried to escape, Making a rush for the exit, individuals were trampled, and many were trapped inside. As a result,100 people lost their lives and 230 more sustained injuries.
As we study the fire, we can learn what went tragically wrong. First, it’s clear that the foam insulation wasn’t fireproofed, meaning it wasn’t treated with fire retardants which would have made it flame resistant and not a contributor to the spread of fire. If it had been, even though the fire might have occurred, it would have given the crown enough time to evacuate to safety. As per the FDNY, all scenery, curtains, set, props, drapes, etc. in a public gathering place are required to be flameproofed.
Additionally, there were other factors that made this fire such a tragic event. In the Station Nightclub, automatic fire sprinkler systems were not installed. Also, there weren’t enough exit signs that would have steered the crowd to alternative routes of escape; instead, the main door was flooded with patrons, blocking the primary exit. There was a full house that night, so the likelihood of everyone making it safely out through one main exit was close to non-existent.
At Bronx Flameproofing, we make it our mission to see that tragedies like the one at the Station Nightclub never happen in our city. As experts in the field for over 60 years, we use our knowledge and experience to keep our neighborhoods and communities safe through the practice of flameproofing. If you are a business owner and have a need for flameproofing treatments – don’t hesitate. Call us today, and we will meet all your fireproofing needs and provide you with a free, no-obligation estimate: 1-800-594-0117.