First it was CSI. Now it's Law & Order.
Both shows frequently use thinly fictionalized versions of real events
in their plots, among them the Feb. 20 fire at The Station night club in
West Warwick.
CSI, which is on CBS, did their nightclub fire episode back in May.
On Wednesday at 10 p.m. NBC's Law & Order will air an episode titled
"Blaze," in which a fire breaks out in a crowded rock club, killing 23
fans. (The death toll from The Station fire is 100.)
"Detectives Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Green (Jesse L. Martin) search
for an explanation and suspect for this tragedy," reads the NBC press
release.
In May, local CBS affiliate Channel 12 elected not to air the CSI
episode.
Channel 10, which is owned and operated by NBC, will air Wednesday
night's Law & Order.
Station spokeswoman Clare Eckert said Channel 10 executives watched
parts of the episode, and decided to air it, although they will post a
warning before the program airs: "The following material may be
upsetting to some. Viewer discretion is advised."
Eckert said the station is trying to balance the sensitivity of the
issue with the need for viewers to judge the show for themselves.
Eckert said the station used the same strategy when the daytime soap
opera Passions aired a fire episode last summer.
Channel 10 will also broadcast a fire-safety special tonight at 7 p.m.
Eckert said airing the show, called Fire Watch: Keeping Southern New
England Safe, has nothing to do with the Law & Order episode.
Eckert said that although The Station tragedy focused attention on fires
in public buildings, 80 percent of all fires take place in the home.
Hosted by Channel 10 anchors Patrice Wood and Doug White, the half-hour
special will feature fire safety experts discussing potential fire
hazards in the home, fire prevention, and what to do if fire does break
out.
The program will air again Nov. 2 at 11:30 a.m.
