As funerals were being held for several victims of last week's tragic
fire at The Station nightclub, the grand jury investigating the
deadliest fire in the state's history is apparently taking a break from
hearing testimony.
Investigators were also back at the fire scene in West Warwick today,
looking for personal artifacts.
A grand jury convened yesterday at the Rhode Island National Guard's
Camp Fogarty in East Greenwich. It heard testimony from several
witnesses, but is apparently not in session today.
Earlier this week, Atty. Gen. Patrick C. Lynch asked the Guard for
permission to use two classrooms at the facility.
Lt. Col. Michael McNamara, a spokesman for the Guard, said today, "The
attorney general's office has let us know they will not need the
facility at Camp Fogarty today. To our understanding, though, they have
asked that it be available for their use tomorrow."
Great White, a Los Angeles-based band, was playing its first song at The
Station Thursday night when pyrotechnics from its show apparently
ignited foam soundproofing material near the stage, quickly spreading
heavy smoke and flames throughout the wooden building.
The fire killed 97 people and injured 187 more.
Lead singer Jack Russell and band members Mark Kendall and Eric Powers
entered the Camp Fogarty complex yesterday morning. Lawyers for the band
members said none of them testified before the grand jury, but their
lawyers met with prosecutors assigned to the investigation.
Lawyers for the band Great White are believed to be in continued talks
with representatives for the attorney general's office regarding
potential testimony from their clients.
The grand jury did hear from several unidentified witnesses Monday, and
they issued subpoenas seeking documents related to the investigation.
Meanwhile, Governor Carcieri was visiting patients and families today at
Shriners Hospital in Boston and the University of Massachusetts Memorial
Medical Center's University campus in Worcester.
Some of the most seriously injured victims are being treated in
Massachusetts hospitals, including four at the University of
Massachusetts Medical Center, and three more at Shriners Hospital, which
specializes in treating burn victims.
Carcieri has been visiting patients and their families in hospitals for
much of the week.
Carcieri has also scheduled a press briefing for 3 p.m. this afternoon
at the State House to discuss a fund set up for the victims and to give
updates on the "overall" situation, said Jeff Neal, a spokesman.
-- With Associated Press reports
