Father Seeks Station Fire Answers

The father of the youngest victim of the Station nightclub fire in West Warwick has asked to meet with the new U.S. Attorney for Rhode Island, Peter Neronha, in hopes of persuading him to investigate the tragic event.

Dave Kane, whose 18-year-old son was one of 100 people who died after Great White launched pyro in the small club in 2003, has petitioned Neronha in a letter, according to a Neronha spokesman who would not discuss it further.

“It’s about seeing to it that something really gets done,” Kane said. “I’m looking for another bite of this apple.”

The fire resulted in jail time for Great White tour manager Dan Biechele and club owner Michael Derderian for involuntary manslaughter. Fellow club owner Jeffrey Derderian was spared time behind bars.

Shortly after the blaze, Kane met with U.S. Attorney Robert Clark Corrente, but his office did not get involved in the case. Kane hopes Neronha’s office will open a preliminary investigation at the least. The father’s goal is to change the system to prevent a similar tragedy.

Kane has been a longtime critic of state Attorney General Patrick Lynch’s handling of the case, alleging that the prosecution was tainted by corruption and politics. He is one of several who say the sentences were too light and that not all guilty parties have been brought to justice.

The blaze has been blamed on flammable soundproofing material.