By: Brooke Donald, Associated Press Writer (AP) Several residents who saw flames shooting from a burning nightclub or heard the ambulances and fire trucks racing to the scene offered help to rescue workers in the hours after the deadly fire erupted, tapes released Monday show.
A judge ordered the release of the tapes in response to a lawsuit filed by The Providence Journal seeking more information about the fire.
The judge denied a request to release 911 calls made by victims and relatives, calling them "intensely personal." Under state law, 911 calls are not public information.
The tapes released Monday provide further insight into how events the night of the fire unfolded.
Callers offered trucks, gloves, water and food to firefighters and police racing to the fire at The Station nightclub in West Warwick on Feb. 20, 2003, that left 100 dead and more than 200 injured.
"If you all need any supplies or any assistance, if you just give us a call," said one man from Coventry.
"My mom's a nurse at Rhode Island hospital. She was wondering if you need anyone to go the scene of the fire," says another on the recordings, released by Attorney General Patrick Lynch after a judge ordered that they be made public.
The tapes also detail the horrific scene that rescue personnel found. Screams and shouting could be heard in the background of the recordings. One dispatcher said the injured were taken to the hospital by the busload.
The fire at The Station was sparked by a band's pyrotechnic display. Investigators have said concertgoers became trapped in the one-story wooden structure when they scrambled for the same exit.
Thirty-one bodies were recovered in the entryway of the club, the most found in any single area, according to a document also released Monday.
The more than four hours of transmissions include about 165 police and fire calls. They do not include calls by club patrons or family members, and were edited to delete identifying information.
The club's owners and the former tour manager of the band Great White were indicted on involuntary manslaughter charges. They have pleaded innocent. Several lawsuits have been filed since from the fire.
A judge has asked all sides to not comment.
Last November, the attorney general released about 270 phone calls and audio transmissions, or 3 1/2 hours of recordings, between police, firefighters and other first responders.
Some victims' family members have opposed the tapes' release, saying they shouldn't have to relive the events.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here