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Club Fire: Flames Engulfed a Night of Music
18 Jan
Summary
- Pyrotechnic flares ignited foam, causing immediate fire spread.
- A stampede occurred for the main exit as panic ensued.
- One survivor awoke 11 weeks later from a coma.
A concert by the band Great White tragically turned into an inferno when pyrotechnic flares, deployed during their opening set, ignited surrounding acoustic foam panels. The fire spread with alarming speed, engulfing the venue in flames and smoke. Guests described an immediate and intense heat, with glass lights shattering overhead.
As the fire intensified, a stampede for the exits began. Gina Russo recounted a bouncer blocking a nearby door before the crowd surged towards the main exit. She witnessed bodies piling up as people desperately tried to escape the rapidly deteriorating situation. Her last memory was reaching safety before losing consciousness.
Russo remained in an induced coma for 11 weeks. Upon waking, she learned that her fiancé, Fred Crisostomi, had tragically lost his life in the fire while ensuring her escape. His actions ultimately saved her life.
