Death toll in nightclub fire reduced by one

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The death toll in last week's nightclub fire was reduced by one to 96, and all the victims have been identified, the governor said Thursday.

Gov. Don Carcieri said the final toll was determined after the medical examiner finished examining all the remains. It wasn't immediately clear what caused the discrepancy.

The announcement came hours after a federal agency that investigates building disasters said it was launching a formal probe into the blaze that erupted Feb. 20 at The Station nightclub in West Warwick.

The fire rapidly engulfed the club after the heavy metal band Great White set off a pyrotechnic display, sending hundreds of concertgoers rushing to the exits.

"When the doctor, the medical examiner completed all of the work, and you have to understand this is painstaking work ... it was in fact 96 (dead), and we have identified all of them," the governor said.

The Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology will look into the location of windows and doors at club, the number of patrons there the night of the fire and the type of construction materials that existed there.

The team would likely use its findings to make recommendations to fire safety groups for improvements in building codes, said spokesman Michael Newman. Two officials from the team had already visited the burned ruins of the nightclub over the weekend.

A grand jury has also begun a separate probe.

The grand jury opened its investigation Wednesday behind closed doors at a National Guard training center in East Greenwich, the same day family members began burying their loved ones.

After sifting through the conflicting versions of what happened, the grand jury will decide whether anyone should be held responsible.

Lt. Col. Mike McNamara, a spokesman for the National Guard, said no grand jury proceedings were being held at the center Thursday, but the panel was expected to return Friday.

Two members of Great White went to the center where the panel was meeting but did not testify Wednesday. A legal source told The Associated Press that the band members were not immediately prepared to testify, but may be ready as soon as Friday.

Prosecutors were expected to spend Thursday in talks with lawyers for grand jury witnesses, another source familiar with the investigation said.

The band has said it received approval to use special effects, but the two brothers who own the club, Jeffrey and Michael Derderian, have denied they gave permission.

Legal experts and fire investigators said the Derderians, along with band members, could be indicted on such state charges as involuntary manslaughter or second-degree murder.

About 60 people remained hospitalized Thursday, including 36 in critical condition.

Funerals for three of the victims were held Wednesday.