Case studies are a useful tool to study fire investigation. It allows us to see how the
theoretical knowledge has real world application. In this course we will look at the
response and investigation of infamous fires and emergencies.
Instructions:
In 2003 a fire broke out at The Station Nightclub in West Warwick, RI. Pyrotechnics
from the band “The Great White’s” stage show ignited soundproofing and spread rapidly
throughout the packed nightclub. 100 were killed and it became the 4th deadliest
nightclub fire in US history.
• Research the Station Nightclub fire.
• Summarize the details of the fire.
o Investigations conducted subsequent to the fire.
o Mitigating factors that increased the significance of this fire.
o What caused this fire to start and then spread?
o What caused this fire to kill so many people?
▪ Mitigating factors that cause such a high fatality count.
o If undetermined, what are possible sources of ignition?
o Pretend you are the initial investigator assigned to this case. Because of its
scale what other agencies would you want to assist you in the investigation?
▪ Investigations conducted subsequent to the fire
o Should building owners be held responsible for situations they create (ie
overcrowding, blocked exits) even if they are not responsible for why the fire
started? Should they be civilly liable? What about criminally?
o What were the criminal and civil ramifications of the Station Nightclub Fire?
▪ Any pending criminal indictments or civil suits resulting from the fire.