Radio Station Remains a Defendant in Club Fire Civil Suit

By Merylee Robbins

Published on September 27, 2005

The fire, which killed 100 concertgoers, began when pyrotechnics for the band Great White went off, igniting the small crowded club. Lawyers for the 146 survivors and 80 victims' families who have filed the civil suit have named WHJY among a list of 46 defendants. The plaintiffs argue that WHJY is partially responsible for the incident, citing the radio station's promotion, operation, and organization of the event. Plaintiffs believe that the station should have known that Great White would be using illegal fireworks during the performance that night, as they had during previous shows.

Clear Channel Broadcasting, which now operates the station, asked U.S. District Judge Ronald Lagueux to drop WHJY from the suit, however their request was denied. Lagueux made the decision to keep WHJY as a defendant so that the prosecution would have the opportunity to explain to the jury the extent that the station was liable for the deadly fire.

Comment on this article →