It's a commonly known phrase "Those who don't' learn from history will be doomed to repeat it." George Santayana is given credit for these wise words, and it's meant to be an eye-opener, inviting us to study the past and learn from those mistakes. This concept easily translates to fire protection and safety. Over the course of America's history, there have been tragic, devastating fires that have resulted in horrific loss of life. If we're wise, we will study the causes of those fires so we aren't fated to make those same errors. One fire we can learn from, especially since it's a more modern fire in our history, is the Station Night Club fire in West Warwick, Rhode Island.
This terrible tragedy happened on the night of February 20, 2003. On that winter night, a live band was performing a show at the nightclub. As part of the evening's entertainment, fireworks were set off in the club. Those fireworks were the catalyst for a devastating chain of events. From the explosions, the foam insulation that surrounded the stage was ignited. Quickly moving from the foam to the ceiling, the fire gained in strength, filling the entire club with smoke. It wasn't long before the audience realized that something had gone terribly wrong. In their panic, they made a mad rush for the door. During the chaotic attempt for an exit, 100 people died and 230 were injured.
So what can learn from this awful event? First, let's look at the cause of the fire. The fireworks ignited the insulation. Because the fire quickly spread in the way that it did, it's likely that the foam had not been flameproofed. If it had, the fire would have burned more slowly and wouldn't have contributed to the spread of the flames to other objects. This would have provided enough time for the audience to safely exit. In NY, decorations, scenery, set props, etc. are required to undergo fireproofing treatments.
There were other variables at play that turned the fire into the tragedy it was. Inside the nightclub, there was no automatic fire sprinkler system. Additionally, the club didn't have enough signs that would have informed the audience routes to other exits. As a result of this, they all stormed to the main exit. In the midst of this mayhem, the main door was blocked by the wall of people trying to exit, in which very few made it out safely. And while the nightclub wasn't above the maximum capacity, it still was a full house, making a safe evacuation for everyone a very unlikely scenario.
At Queens Flameproofing, we are committed to keeping the public safe through our flameproofing measures. The simple, fast process of flameproofing could have made a vast difference in the outcome of the Station Nightclub fire. In the Metro NYC area, flameproofing techniques are at work to keep our city safe. We are happy to assist all business owners by meeting their flameproofing requirements and needs. Should an accidental fire ever occur, having required items treated with fire repellents can be the difference between a minor inconvenience and a devastating tragedy. Please call us today to discuss how we can serve you. We offer free, no-obligation estimates and are happy to answer all of your questions: 1-800-972-5587.