[OT] The Rhode Island Nightclub Fire

[Dr Midnight]

http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/Northeast/02/21/deadly.nightclub.fire/index.html

I'm 11 minutes away from this place. I know several people who would go to see an 80's band like Great White... two of whom are ENboarders. Everyone I know is okay, I'm okay, and I'm fending off phone calls from family.

I've never been this close to something this big, and I'm kinda shaken. I've been glued to local news all day and talking to people. Rhode Island's a very small state... almost like a large town. People know each other. It looks like most of us will know someone that died, or at least recognize several of the names when released.

The video that was shot when the fire started is just awful, because you're looking at a bunch of people dancing and cheering who don't know they're about to die. The death toll is at 75 currently.

EDIT: The death toll is now at 85
EDIT: 86 now. Ugh.

 

[BiggusGeekus@Work]

Doc,

I'm very sorry that you were close to this and very greatful that you were not there. Please take care.

-BG

 

[jaerdaph]

It's been the saddest thing for me today to see the death toll from this terrible tragedy increasing every hour each time I go to Yahoo (it's at 85 now). My heart and prayers are with all the families of the victims. Your in my thoughts too, Doc - I'm glad to hear you didn't loose anyone close to you.

 

[d20Dwarf]

Anyone that climbed over someone else to get out (as the guy on the Fox interview said he did) should question their own existence very carefully. It's sad that a good percentage of deaths in both tragedies were from trampling, not burning or inhalation. Panic isn't a good defense for murder.

 

[Ruined]

A very sad moment, indeed. We've been looking at footage and reports most of the day. The guy with the camera was there to do an article about club safety...

I think the really frightening thing is that I would not have realized it wasn't part of the stage show. I've been to more than one concert where things fall apart and look like accidents. =\

 

[Dr Midnight]

This may be kinda... i dunno... selfish and/or stupid, but in times like this, we at the ENboards sometimes wonder if a fellow poster was killed- because we'd have no way of knowing. We'd have to be notified by someone, which would be rare- like with Chairman Kaga. I'm fairly certain I know all the ENboards people in the area, and we're fine.

86 people killed, now.

 

[Mark CMG]

It is a sad, sad thing and we just lost 21 people last weekend in the Chicago Nightclub tragedy (across the street from a place I have worked.) I think that some of the panic that sets in in those situations is residual from other recent events, even if that isn't prevalent in people's minds at the time. My heart goes out to the family and friends of anyone who lost their lives.

 

[Chronosome]

 

[Henry]

This may be kinda... i dunno... selfish and/or stupid, but in times like this, we at the ENboards sometimes wonder if a fellow poster was killed- because we'd have no way of knowing.

I have often thought about this very thing, myself. It goes to show that we are in some ways VERY alone in this world. As I have often talked with my wife about, I believe that the most important lesson that I have so far learned in this world is the understanding AND ACCEPTANCE that everyone I know in this world is going to one day pass away. Doesn't make it easier to lose someone, but it does offer a sort of resolution and comfort.

 

[Mercule]

This may be kinda... i dunno... selfish and/or stupid, but in times like this, we at the ENboards sometimes wonder if a fellow poster was killed- because we'd have no way of knowing.

I think it's natural. Any tragedy makes us think first of family, then of friends, then acquaintences, then strangers.

It's a reasonable (and proper, IMHO) outgrowth of a community spirit. People that we know are "real". Even if they are only marginal aquaintences, we still share something with the person. We can relate and put ourselves in their shoes, so to speak. Most people can empathize with pretty much anyone if they try, but it's _easier_ and quicker if you have a starting point.

Psychology aside (and I'm not psychologist), I'm glad you weren't there, Doc. I'm glad that everyone you're aware of on the boards wasn't there. I hope no one from the boards was there (no matter that it'd mean some of us have lives ). And I hope we don't have any more casualties come out of this.