R.I. Nightclub Owner Breaks Silence After Being Sentenced To 500 Hours Of Community Service

Tuesday, May 8th 2007, 5:04 pm

By: News On 6

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) _ An owner of a nightclub where a fire killed 100 people said Tuesday that he is grateful to work off his community service with a group that helps burn victims.

Jeffrey Derderian spoke to The Associated Press in his first extensive interview since he was charged with involuntary manslaughter after the 2003 fire. He pleaded no contest and was sentenced in September to 500 hours of community service.

``From what I've seen so far, there's a need on many different levels, and I'm just grateful for the opportunity to be a part of it and try to contribute in a small way,'' he said.

A fire broke out at The Station nightclub in West Warwick on Feb. 20, 2003, when pyrotechnics for the band Great White ignited flammable foam lining the club's walls. More than 200 people were injured.

Fire survivors and relatives of those killed have criticized a plea deal that gave Derderian only community service and his brother Michael, co-owner of the club, four years in prison.

Derderian refused to answer personal questions about himself or his brother.

Derderian is fulfilling his community service requirement with the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, which is based in Grand Rapids, Mich. He also said he's volunteering with a fire and rescue department in West Greenwich.

A former television reporter, Derderian is helping organize a public relations campaign for a firefighter's cross-country bike ride from Boston to California. The effort kicked off Tuesday with a goal of raising $100,000 for the organization.

Last month, Attorney General Patrick Lynch criticized Derderian for having only done 70 hours of community service so far. Derderian said Tuesday the process of finding an appropriate place to volunteer ``took longer than expected.''

James Gahan, whose son, Jimmy, died in the fire, said if Derderian wants to make a difference, he should offer a public accounting of how the club was run, promote tougher fire laws and work on holding fire officials accountable for enforcing fire codes.

``If he can transform that time into something that has benefit for the future, not just for him, that would make a difference,'' Gahan said.