GREAT WHITE - Tentative $30M Deal In 2003

GREAT WHITE - Tentative $30M Deal In 2003 Rhode Island Nightclub Fire Case

According to foxnews.com,

A TV station and a cameraman accused of getting in the way of people fleeing the nightclub fire that killed 100 people have reached a tentative $30 million settlement with survivors and victims' relatives, a lawyer involved in the deal said Saturday.

It is the largest settlement of several reached so far with the dozens of people and companies who sued over the Feb. 20, 2003, fire at The Station nightclub. The blaze began when pyrotechnics used by the 1980s rock band GREAT WHITE ignited highly flammable soundproofing foam covering the walls.

Brian Butler, a cameraman for WPRI-TV, was at the West Warwick nightclub gathering footage for a segment on safety in public places. His video formed the most complete record of the early moments of the fire, revealing the rapid spread of flames and the frantic rush for the exits.

Lawyers for the victims accused Butler of impeding the crowd's exit through the front door. He and his lawyer, Chip Babcock, have denied the claim.

Babcock did not immediately return calls seeking comment Saturday. After Butler was sued in 2004, Babcock said that his client "had saved lives that night."

In an affidavit submitted last year, Butler said he left the club as soon as he noticed the flames and did not stop to videotape the patrons.


The general manager for WPRI also did not immediately return calls for comment.

The settlement, which also involves the station's owner, LIN-TV, was first reported Saturday by The Boston Globe. A lawyer involved in the deal confirmed the settlement on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about it.

As part of the settlement, the defendants are not admitting any responsibility, the lawyer said.

The settlement requires the approval of a judge handling the case and the plaintiffs.

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