The Station Nightclub Fire

Drake Exhibits was retained by the Plaintiff's Steering Committee in this case to document and reconstruct the wood frame structure where this horrific fire occurred on February 20, 2003.

The investigative team worked for over ten weeks at the site to document the building remains, collect evidence, and catalog samples of various materials used in the construction and finish of the building.

From dimensions recorded of the building remains, review of photos taken before the fire, analysis of the Butler video shot before and during the fire, witness interviews, and expert analysis, Drake Exhibits created a series of drawings showing the layout, construction, and layers of interior finish materials in the building. Using the scaled drawings, the square footage of each type of finish material in the building was calculated.

A 3D computer model was created to show views inside the building and illustrate the physical configuration of the interior spaces including layout, ceiling heights, door and exit locations.

for Wistow & Barylick
and Mandell, Schwartz & Boisclair
Providence, RI

aerial view of station nightclub after fire

Aerial view of the remaining structure

station nightclub pre-fire photo

Pre-fire photo shows the foam covered walls

trial exhibits

Fire reconstruction drawings were created from measurements taken on-site combined with analysis of pre-fire photos

station nightclub South wall structure and insullation, drum alcove to the right

station nightclub South wall structure and insulation, drum alcove gypsum wallboard and second wall frame with insulation to the right

station nightclub fire South wall structure and insullation, gypsum wallboard and wood paneling, drum alcove to the right

station nightclub Drum alcove to the right, inner wall finished with gypsum wallboard and covered with carpet

station nightclub South wall wood paneling and egg crate foam, drum alcove with white closed cell foam right

station nightclub fire Drum alcove with white closed cell foam blocks on the carpeted wall, styrofoam insulation on the deiling, covered by plywood and then egg crate foam.