Club owners charged over fire deaths

The owners of a US nightclub where 100 people were killed in a fire last February have been charged with manslaughter.

The tour manager of the heavy metal band whose fireworks ignited the blaze was also charged.

Club owners Jeffrey and Michael Derderian and Great White tour manager Dan Biechele were each charged with 200 counts of involuntary manslaughter – two for each death.

The charges came after the grand jury issued a report on its 10-month investigation into the fire at The Station nightclub in Warwick, Rhode Island on February 20.

The blaze, caused by the Great White heavy metal band’s indoor fireworks display, also injured about 200 people.

Many of the dead and injured were trapped in the smoke and flames during the crowd’s rush for the exits.

Several lawsuits have been filed against the band and the club owners.