Trial by Fire

A Devastating Tragedy, 100 Lives Lost, and a 15-Year Search for Truth

By: Scott James

Narrated by: Justin Spencer

In only 90 seconds, a fire in The Station nightclub left 100 people dead or dying and injured hundreds more. It would take years to find out why - and who was really at fault.

All it took for a hundred people to die during a show by the hair metal band Great White was a sudden burst from four giant sparklers that ignited the acoustical foam lining the Station nightclub. But who was at fault? And who would pay? This being Rhode Island, the two questions wouldn’t necessarily have the same answer.

Within 24 hours the governor of Rhode Island and the local police chief were calling for criminal charges, although the investigation had barely begun, key evidence still needed to be gathered, and many of the victims hadn’t been identified. Though many parties could be held responsible, fingers pointed quickly at the two brothers who owned the club. But were they really to blame? Best-selling author and three-time Emmy Award-winning journalist Scott James investigates all the central figures, including the band’s manager and lead singer, the fire inspector, the maker of the acoustical foam, as well as the brothers. Drawing on firsthand accounts, interviews with many involved, and court documents, James explores the rush to judgment about what happened that left the victims and their families, whose stories he also tells, desperate for justice.

Trial by Fire is the heart-wrenching story of the fire’s aftermath because while the fire, one of America’s deadliest, lasted minutes, the search for the truth would take years.

©2020 Scott James (P)2021 Blackstone Publishing

Biased but still good

Very complete telling of the event but there is an obvious bias towards the author's former colleague, the club's owner. The author repeatedly points out the bias of the media and the government. This is more the owners' side of the story. The "truth" lies somewhere in between the two, I expect. Still, well written and gripping. It was good to hear the perspectives and experiences of the survivors and to hear what they had to deal with following the tragedy.

Excellent

Plays like a novel. I thought it would be too much but it wasn’t. Fascinating and very well done.

Horrifyingly instructive

This is one of the hardest books to get through, emotionally speaking, yet one of the most instructive. Scott James has done the entire country a huge favor by telling this story so that people know the truth not only about what happened that night, but most importantly about our judicial system.

Well Told - Depicted All Sides of a Horrific Tragedy. Sheri McCue Johnston Rhode Island

Being a Rhode Island native and having 1 friend and co-worker as well as 2 other acquaintances who perished in this fire, I can tell you this tragedy hit this state like no other. This book was so interesting and answered so many questions. It was inspiring to hear Gina Russo and Phil Bars story in depth! The struggles they over came! Inspirational stories. My heart also goes out to Jeffrey and Michael as well as their families. People are human! Accidents and tragedies happen in a split second without any intent of malice or to hurt people! Lives were ended and rippled effects of this tragedy will never leave. I remember watching this live on tv in my living room the night my husband woke me up. He tried win tickets to that show on “stump the Dj” that week, he told me. He had won a bike one time so he had chances to win tickets by telling a joke and hoping the djs Paul and Al did not guess! I am so thankful he DID NOT win those tickets! Thank God! Thank you for writing this book.

What a great book

I loved it. I didn't know all the details of this event, only heard about it on the news. I am so glad this was written. my heart goes out to the club owners. they have a lot of integrity.