Three charged over US club fire

Clubbers were trapped inside by the flames

Three men have been charged with involuntary manslaughter over the deaths of 100 people in a nightclub fire in the United States in February.

Two brothers who owned the club in Rhode Island have been charged, along with the former tour manager of the heavy metal band, Great White.

The Station nightclub in West Warwick went up in flames during a firework display at a concert by the band.

It was one of the deadliest nightclub fires in the US, and left 200 injured.

Tuesday's indictment marks the first criminal charges in the case.

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.

They all deny the charges.

Stampede

Great White guitarist Ty Longley was among those killed in the fire, which began just seconds into the concert.

Foam soundproofing material at the edge of the stage was set alight by fireworks which the band used as part of its act.

The Station was a wooden, one-storey building and the blaze spread quickly as the fans all tried to escape through the same exit.

The band maintains that it had permission from the owners of the club to set off the fireworks, but this is disputed by the club owners.

Authorities investigated the blaze for more than nine months, picking through the charred remains of the site for evidence and interviewing witnesses.

They seized computers, documents, club records and appointment books from band members and the club's owners.

Civil lawsuits

Since the fire, safety laws for public buildings have been upgraded in Rhode Island and in other American states.

The other band members have been named in several civil lawsuits but have not been charged by the Rhode Island grand jury.

Great White began a tour in July to raise money for the survivors and families of victims.

According to the band's website it has raised about $60,000, but the tour has faced criticism from some victims' families.

Great White was a popular band during the 1980s, with hits including Once Bitten, Twice Shy and Rock Me.