PROVIDENCE, R.I., Feb. 3 (UPI) -- A TV station in Providence, R.I., has tentatively agreed to a $30 million settlement to end a lawsuit filed after a 2003 nightclub fire that killed 100 people.
Providence's WPRI-TV would pay victims of The Station nightclub fire $30 million for the alleged actions of one of its cameramen during the deadly blaze in West Warwick, R.I., The Providence Journal reported Sunday.
A station cameraman, Brian Butler, had been accused of stopping in one of the nightclub's exits to film the carnage caused by the spreading fire. Lawyers for those bringing the lawsuit alleged Butler's actions caused significant delay in evacuating club patrons.
WPRI General Manager Jay Howell said Saturday the settlement did not represent an admission of guilt by the TV station, the Journal reported.
"We did then, and still do, vehemently deny this allegation, which is disproved by the video itself," Howell said in a statement. "This suit resides in the hands of our insurance companies, which made the decision to settle."
Pyrotechnics during a band's performance has been blamed for starting The Station fire, which also injured more than 200 people.
