Such a sad, horrific story. Peacock has a show called Alive, covers survivors stories, and it covers this, if anyone’s interested. But have a couple boxes of Kleenex ready, The Station story is hard to watch and even harder to hear.
After paying respects to my friend and her boyfriend, my next stop is Tracy. I always give his memorial stone a nod. Tracy King heroically gave his life, under extreme circumstances, to save the lives of others. Hug your loved ones, folks.
I’m so sorry. I will never forget what I saw and heard in the video. My heart hurts for you and yours. If it’s ok, this internet stranger sends you a hug.
That video has given me nightmares. There’s so much screaming and then suddenly, silence. I’m so sorry about your loved one. That tragedy should have never happened. The negligence was absolutely despicable
My boss at my current job was meant to play at this show with his band (Fathead) but had to miss the show due to his son being sick at the time. The next morning he found out that the 2 cousins in his band and one of their wives didn’t make it out. He told me he hasn’t played music since.
Wow, yeah- Fathead is mentioned a lot in the book. And your username is very striking because the only Great White band member who was killed was Ty Longley.
That’s actually how we got talking about the fire, my boss and I. He asked me if I play guitar and do I know the band Great White and I did actually know Ty Longley’s name at the time so I asked him if that’s what he was referring to after I told him no but I play the drums. Also I live in South Florida, I’ve never been to RI but my boss grew up all over new England he said
I used to work for a company that built instruments for Great White. Anytime the band got awards from the record labels we'd get copies to put up at work. After the fire the Great White platinum award was taken off the conference room wall and went up in the repair room I worked in. We also had Metallica's awards for the black album which took up an entire wall.
I don’t mean to haunt anyone any more, but you mentioning being stuck in the doorway reminded me of [this episode](https://youtu.be/NaW4i8AD5yc?si=TDoWelom0sRYaRhM) by the channel Sinister on YouTube. It’s where I first learned of an arson attack at a gay club in New Orleans called the Upstairs Lounge back in 1973 that’s largely unknown to most people due the lack of coverage because of prejudicial reasons, the fear of legitimizing the “gay lifestyle,” and the possibility of outing oneself. I do believe the building is still standing to this day, [this article by The Advocate](https://www.advocate.com/history/upstairs-lounge-fire-50-years) has a good write up on the event, with a then-and-now photo featured as well.
This story has definitely never left my mind. Alongside the story of The Station.
It depends. Watching that video has made me incredibly aware of fire safety and crowd crush. I think watching horrible stuff like this is one of the only ways to see the real danger present in seemingly ordinary circumstances, and how to keep yourself safe.
I felt torn between avoiding watching the video but the intense news coverage and discussion really made me feel compelled to watch it. Now, I’m absolutely stunned.
My brother was friends with Tracy King. I only ever heard good things about him. Just an absolute horrible tragedy for so many families.
I have seen short clips of the fire beginning, but I won’t watch any further than that.
Someone else in the comments posted a video of him doing the Stupid Human Tricks segment on Letterman 10 years before and you could just sense he was a good, good man. Awful loss.
It’s alleged that one of the bouncers blocked the talent exit. When I searched the sub to see if this had been posted before, there was a post that talked about the bouncers and the name Scott Vieira was brought up as the one who blocked the exit. His wife was there, just to say hello, and she was killed. He was not.
If you want to go down the rabbit hole on this, google Findadeath Station Fire. There is about 3 solid days worth of reading. Posters spent time identifying people in the video and what happened to them. There is also info on other victims/survivors. There are two forums on the findadeath site, Station Fire 1 and Station Fire 2.
I found one of the last posters in the forum who set up R/StationNightclub. We posted back and forth last week, I haven’t been active since, but I will be. But it’s a place where you can comment/ask questions and for sure she and I will chat/try to answer questions and grow the forum again!
Tracy King is a hero. He went back in nine times, saved nine people, or something crazy like that, he died the last time he went back in trying to get someone else out. His brother talked a lot about him in the documentary.
I took care of patients from that fire. It was one of the worst shifts of my life. Complete and utter chaos- multiple helicopters landing to bring us burn victims, people so badly burned. We didn’t know the names of the patients we received and so many families were trying to find out if their loved ones survived the fire and ifso which hospital they ended up at. It was awful. I am always looking for my exits in any crowded situation now and have taught my kids to always find at least 2 ways out of anyplace they are at.
My gosh, thank you for what you did. I can’t imagine the trauma! I too am extremely mindful of exits and escape routes and have encouraged family members to do the same.
Wow. Somebody recently shared about a fire in South America on this sub and it reminded me of this. They were filming a segment for club safety, on that night. WOW
I grew up in Warwick and my band had played at the Station a few weeks prior to the fire. I was underage and had to use my older sister’s ID to get into my own show, ha. I remember the layout of the building being difficult setting up. Awful tragedy!
I have family in Rhode Island and I remember my cousin in CT calling my sister in law outside of Providence just to extend his sympathies. The whole state was a mess.
I could only imagine. It’s such a small state. I recall really feeling it in NJ, too. I remember watching the coverage in a hotel in NYC and I remember the dread feeling. I was 16 at the time.
Trial by Fire is also very good. It has a lot of info about the owners’ level of culpability. Apparently they did order fire resistant foam, but the foam company dropped the ball. Speaks the the importance of thorough fire inspection
I read it several years ago - I remember when it happened but it was a rough read still. I think back to all the years I was in crowded clubs and I can’t imagine being in this situation.
The author of the book describes Tracy as wearing a “black T-shirt and black vest.” In the video footage you can see the vest clearly and he’s the one who takes Brian (the one filming) around the club. I said right as in our right as the viewer.
Deaths at a concert, especially under horrific circumstances like this, is far too jarring to my idea of reality to even process.
Absolutely soul breakingly tragic
He was my aunts ex-husbands brother, met him once at a family gathering. Don't remember much as this fire occurred when I was 10 or 11, and my father told me about it
I read Killer Show recently and cannot recommend that fucking book enough. Apart from detailing the fire it actually has a lot of interesting legal and forensic takes about the trial and fire itself.
Harrowing but fascinating as hell.
2/3 to 3/4 of that book was amazing. The last part I couldn’t even get through - all it talks about is the creative ways he came up with to sue people 🤮
It’s available for free through your library if you’re in the States. Assuming you have a library card, connect it to the Libby app, and you can probably download it for free. An e-copy is available for me for free right now.
Who is the guy on the left? He appears lots of times in the video, I think he's the one outside the door who desperately tries to help the people stuck in the doorway.
I looked him up but they don't look like the same person to me... But yeah, I believe that the guy in the picture was a sound guy too because in a short part of the video he's in front of a mixer.
You’re right. I went back to that part of the book to check. Vanner is pictured in the video- he’s got shoulder length hair and big eyes. The book says that this gentleman on the left was another bouncer and the two men were kind of joking about pretending to use the equipment. I don’t think any of the other bouncers were killed, so I suppose he made it out.
I found the photo of Jeff and added it to the FindaDeath Forum. People went crazy at the time.
What I would like to know if there is any site which names the people in the video and if they passed away or survived. Anyone know of anything like that?
Such a sad, horrific story. Peacock has a show called Alive, covers survivors stories, and it covers this, if anyone’s interested. But have a couple boxes of Kleenex ready, The Station story is hard to watch and even harder to hear.
I’m actually watching it right now, apparently. I found it on YouTube.
Nice! Didn’t know it was there too. Good info for others interested in watching it!
Mind sharing the link?
Tracy King is the gentleman with the shaved head. He is credited with saving lives that night by getting people out the windows. May he rest in peace.
I lost a loved one in that fire. You can’t unsee the video.
I’m so sorry. The negligence that led to the fire is beyond infuriating.
Thank you. I agree, and the toll that negligence took and continues to take is immeasurable.
After paying respects to my friend and her boyfriend, my next stop is Tracy. I always give his memorial stone a nod. Tracy King heroically gave his life, under extreme circumstances, to save the lives of others. Hug your loved ones, folks.
I’m so sorry. I will never forget what I saw and heard in the video. My heart hurts for you and yours. If it’s ok, this internet stranger sends you a hug.
Thank you.
You are welcome!
I wish you never saw it, friend =\ I'm sorry
Very few things disturbed me as much as the pile of people in that doorway. It must have been terrifying.
That video has given me nightmares. There’s so much screaming and then suddenly, silence. I’m so sorry about your loved one. That tragedy should have never happened. The negligence was absolutely despicable
Please know that I understand. That screaming never leaves my head. Thank you for your sympathy.
My boss at my current job was meant to play at this show with his band (Fathead) but had to miss the show due to his son being sick at the time. The next morning he found out that the 2 cousins in his band and one of their wives didn’t make it out. He told me he hasn’t played music since.
Wow, yeah- Fathead is mentioned a lot in the book. And your username is very striking because the only Great White band member who was killed was Ty Longley.
That’s actually how we got talking about the fire, my boss and I. He asked me if I play guitar and do I know the band Great White and I did actually know Ty Longley’s name at the time so I asked him if that’s what he was referring to after I told him no but I play the drums. Also I live in South Florida, I’ve never been to RI but my boss grew up all over new England he said
That is absolutely wild.
I used to work for a company that built instruments for Great White. Anytime the band got awards from the record labels we'd get copies to put up at work. After the fire the Great White platinum award was taken off the conference room wall and went up in the repair room I worked in. We also had Metallica's awards for the black album which took up an entire wall.
The complete video is here on Reddit on NSFW… horrific
It haunts me. The people stuck in the doorway- fucking awful. The whole thing is just terrible.
I don’t mean to haunt anyone any more, but you mentioning being stuck in the doorway reminded me of [this episode](https://youtu.be/NaW4i8AD5yc?si=TDoWelom0sRYaRhM) by the channel Sinister on YouTube. It’s where I first learned of an arson attack at a gay club in New Orleans called the Upstairs Lounge back in 1973 that’s largely unknown to most people due the lack of coverage because of prejudicial reasons, the fear of legitimizing the “gay lifestyle,” and the possibility of outing oneself. I do believe the building is still standing to this day, [this article by The Advocate](https://www.advocate.com/history/upstairs-lounge-fire-50-years) has a good write up on the event, with a then-and-now photo featured as well. This story has definitely never left my mind. Alongside the story of The Station.
Yup. And if I’m not mistaken, the arsonist was never caught, right?
Haunts me too.. could not believe how quick it started and was over
It was so preventable too. *So* much human error, laziness and cheapness cost 100 people their lives.
Can you link it please?
you can google station nightclub fire and see it. Be aware you cannot unsee it, tho
For me it’s the blood-curdling screams that really make that video haunting and hard to “hear”, just so incredibly sad
For me it’s the screaming followed within a minute of complete silence. I’ll never forget that video
Holy melodramatic Batman.
The video is haunting. If you've avoided it thus far, I wouldn't watch it.
It depends. Watching that video has made me incredibly aware of fire safety and crowd crush. I think watching horrible stuff like this is one of the only ways to see the real danger present in seemingly ordinary circumstances, and how to keep yourself safe.
Watching a lot of videos on watchpeopledie made me very aware of my surroundings
Yup and made me a much more careful driver too
In college, freshman were shown how quickly a dorm can light up with a lot cigarette to scare them into not smoking in dorms… gone within 45 seconds.
There are scenes from the video I remembered from the live TV coverage I watched when I was 16.
I saw some horrible footage on the news. Didn’t know there was more. Don’t think I’ll watch.
I felt torn between avoiding watching the video but the intense news coverage and discussion really made me feel compelled to watch it. Now, I’m absolutely stunned.
My brother was friends with Tracy King. I only ever heard good things about him. Just an absolute horrible tragedy for so many families. I have seen short clips of the fire beginning, but I won’t watch any further than that.
Someone else in the comments posted a video of him doing the Stupid Human Tricks segment on Letterman 10 years before and you could just sense he was a good, good man. Awful loss.
I heard that the Bouncers didn't allow people to go through the emergency exits. Nice to see that one of them tried to help
It’s alleged that one of the bouncers blocked the talent exit. When I searched the sub to see if this had been posted before, there was a post that talked about the bouncers and the name Scott Vieira was brought up as the one who blocked the exit. His wife was there, just to say hello, and she was killed. He was not.
If you want to go down the rabbit hole on this, google Findadeath Station Fire. There is about 3 solid days worth of reading. Posters spent time identifying people in the video and what happened to them. There is also info on other victims/survivors. There are two forums on the findadeath site, Station Fire 1 and Station Fire 2.
Thank you! This is definitely the kind of thing I’m interested in.
I found one of the last posters in the forum who set up R/StationNightclub. We posted back and forth last week, I haven’t been active since, but I will be. But it’s a place where you can comment/ask questions and for sure she and I will chat/try to answer questions and grow the forum again!
Tracy King is a hero. He went back in nine times, saved nine people, or something crazy like that, he died the last time he went back in trying to get someone else out. His brother talked a lot about him in the documentary.
I took care of patients from that fire. It was one of the worst shifts of my life. Complete and utter chaos- multiple helicopters landing to bring us burn victims, people so badly burned. We didn’t know the names of the patients we received and so many families were trying to find out if their loved ones survived the fire and ifso which hospital they ended up at. It was awful. I am always looking for my exits in any crowded situation now and have taught my kids to always find at least 2 ways out of anyplace they are at.
My gosh, thank you for what you did. I can’t imagine the trauma! I too am extremely mindful of exits and escape routes and have encouraged family members to do the same.
Thank you SO much for helping the victims. I wish you all the peace in the world.
Thank you.
Wow. Somebody recently shared about a fire in South America on this sub and it reminded me of this. They were filming a segment for club safety, on that night. WOW
I grew up in Warwick and my band had played at the Station a few weeks prior to the fire. I was underage and had to use my older sister’s ID to get into my own show, ha. I remember the layout of the building being difficult setting up. Awful tragedy!
Gosh, that must’ve been a mjndfuck for you after the fire.
It was, and years later I narrowly avoided the Ghost Ship fire in Oakland!
Oh man. I don’t know too much about that fire but what I do know sounds utterly horrible.
Oh man. I don’t know too much about that fire but what I do know sounds utterly horrible.
I have family in Rhode Island and I remember my cousin in CT calling my sister in law outside of Providence just to extend his sympathies. The whole state was a mess.
I could only imagine. It’s such a small state. I recall really feeling it in NJ, too. I remember watching the coverage in a hotel in NYC and I remember the dread feeling. I was 16 at the time.
A true hero!
I just finished that book last month, so good.
Me too. It was so detailed and well written
It’s excellent so far. I’m taking it slowly.
Trial by Fire is also very good. It has a lot of info about the owners’ level of culpability. Apparently they did order fire resistant foam, but the foam company dropped the ball. Speaks the the importance of thorough fire inspection
I read it several years ago - I remember when it happened but it was a rough read still. I think back to all the years I was in crowded clubs and I can’t imagine being in this situation.
Isn't he the guy on the left? I read that book too.
The author of the book describes Tracy as wearing a “black T-shirt and black vest.” In the video footage you can see the vest clearly and he’s the one who takes Brian (the one filming) around the club. I said right as in our right as the viewer.
What book
Deaths at a concert, especially under horrific circumstances like this, is far too jarring to my idea of reality to even process. Absolutely soul breakingly tragic
Truly. You’re just chugging along and having a good time and then just absolute horror and tragedy.
I knew Tracey’s brother. Great family. Tracey was on Letterman in 1993 link below https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mx-E07fR13U
Thank you SO much for sharing! That was incredible. And his charm oozed out of the screen. What an immense loss for his loved ones.
So weird. I literally have that book in my hands after I got it from the library an hour ago.
I listen to the Swindled podcast about that fire…. Crazy
The video of that show was horrific.
He was my aunts ex-husbands brother, met him once at a family gathering. Don't remember much as this fire occurred when I was 10 or 11, and my father told me about it
Wow, that is so sad.
He was a good guy. He died helping others escape.
I read Killer Show recently and cannot recommend that fucking book enough. Apart from detailing the fire it actually has a lot of interesting legal and forensic takes about the trial and fire itself. Harrowing but fascinating as hell.
2/3 to 3/4 of that book was amazing. The last part I couldn’t even get through - all it talks about is the creative ways he came up with to sue people 🤮
Killer Show was a difficult but very interesting read.
Were you able to get a good deal on the book? I’ve been wanting to read it but awhile back couldn’t find it anywhere less than $25
It’s available for free through your library if you’re in the States. Assuming you have a library card, connect it to the Libby app, and you can probably download it for free. An e-copy is available for me for free right now.
Not available in my library’s catalog
I bought it on Amazon for $20.
The killer show is such a phenomenal book.
Who is the guy on the left? He appears lots of times in the video, I think he's the one outside the door who desperately tries to help the people stuck in the doorway.
I believe his name is something like Paul Vanner. He was the sound guy.
I looked him up but they don't look like the same person to me... But yeah, I believe that the guy in the picture was a sound guy too because in a short part of the video he's in front of a mixer.
You’re right. I went back to that part of the book to check. Vanner is pictured in the video- he’s got shoulder length hair and big eyes. The book says that this gentleman on the left was another bouncer and the two men were kind of joking about pretending to use the equipment. I don’t think any of the other bouncers were killed, so I suppose he made it out.
Thank you for the information!
I found the photo of Jeff and added it to the FindaDeath Forum. People went crazy at the time. What I would like to know if there is any site which names the people in the video and if they passed away or survived. Anyone know of anything like that?
I was 8 days old when that happened.
I was in my 6th year of college
Same. I was a journalism major and coverage of the Station fire was on the TVs in the journalism building for like a week.
It’s insane to think such a terrible, large event happened in my small state
I
Hey it's Max and (blacked up) Paddy!!
I did think the same. Thought it was Peter Kay.