Updated 5:30 p.m. / The owner of American Foam Corp. in Johnston says
The Station nightclub in June 2000 purchased $575 worth of common
egg-crate packing foam for soundproofing, but it was not fire retardant.
The fire retardant foam would have cost twice as much, according to Aram
DerManouelian, who said the club wanted "the lowest grade, the cheapest
stuff."
"They had a choice, and they bought general purpose egg-crate foam,"
said DerManouelian. "It kept the noise down, but whoever figured they'd
put flame on it? Jesus. For a $575 invoice, here we are."
Tests on foam recovered from the basement of The Station showed that the
foam gives off lethal gases when burning, according to results released
late today by the state Department of Health. Investigators believe it
is the same foam used as soundproofing in the club.
Whether the soundproofing was safe and fire retardant, as required by
law, is now at the center of the investigation into the blaze at the
West Warwick club last week, which has killed 97 and injured another 186
people. It was the fourth deadliest nightclub fire in the nation's
history and the worst fire ever in Rhode Island.
Pyrotechnics set off by the band Great White apparently ignited the
foam, then quickly spread to paneling and a suspended ceiling, filling
the club with thick black smoke and flames. The building was engulfed
within three minutes, West Warwick Fire Chief Charles Hall has said.
DerManouelian said Michael Derderian, co-owner of the club, wrote out a
check for a delivery of 25 sheets of the charcoal foam on June 27, 2000.
The foam was 2 1/2 inches thick. Each sheet was 37 by 84 inches in
diameter. It was made of polyurethane and is generally used for packing.
"It's unfortunate," DerManouelian said. "They did not buy fire retardant
foam. Yeah, they could have. We sell fire-retardant foam. They bought
the wrong kind. In hindsight, they probably didn't think they were going
to have a fire."
Kathleen M. Hagerty, a lawyer for Michael Derderian, confirmed that the
club had purchased the foam. She said a neighbor who worked as a
salesman for American Foam Corp. suggested they use it as a solution to
complaints neighbors had about noise from the club.
Hagerty refused to identify the neighbor.
"We have someone looking for him, and the AG has someone looking for
him, too," Hagerty said. "I don't know where the man is. He may be out
of town for all I know."
Investigators hunting for the source of the stage insulation used at The
Station nightclub searched American Foam Monday night and took samples
of products.
The foam was installed to appease neighbors upset by the club's noise.
Michael Derderian and his brother, Jeffrey, bought the club in March
2000.
The club's former manager, Tim Arnold, of Johnston, would not confirm or
deny yesterday that he had installed the foam soundproofing. A woman who
answered the door at his house said Arnold no longer worked at a foam
company.
The state Department of Health late today released to local doctors and
hospitals the results of tests done on foam insulation recovered from
the basement of The Station.
The foam, health officials said, gave off gases that would be lethal at
high concentrations and cause lung irritation at lower levels.
People who were at the fire scene and are experiencing breathing
problems should contact their doctors, said Robert J. Marshall Jr.,
assistant director of health. The American Lung Association's Call
Center can also answer questions at: 1-800-548-8252.
Meanwhile, the grand jury is apparently back in action at Rhode Island
National Guard's Camp Fogarty in East Greenwich.
Jack Russell, lead singer for Great White, entered the complex shortly
after noon. Several prosecutors from the state attorney general's office
were also seen driving into the camp this morning.
Great White drummer Eric Powers and his attorney, Peter DiBiase, were
also seen entering the complex this morning.
Russell is seeking immunity from prosecution or a letter of
non-prosecution from the attorney general's office for any possible
testimony before the grand jury.
The attorney general's office asked for permission to use classrooms at
the camp earlier this week. The grand jury started investigating
Wednesday, but did not meet yesterday.
-- With reports from projo.com staff writer Jack Perry, Journal
environmental writer Peter Cord, The Associated Press and Journal staff
photographer Mary Murphy.
