Settlement offered to club fire victims

PROVIDENCE, R.I., May 14 (UPI) -- The victims of a 2003 Rhode Island nightclub fire and their families were offered $30 million to settle their civil lawsuits against several foam manufacturers.

The Providence (R.I.) Journal said the foam companies have tentatively agreed to pay $30 million to the victims of The Station nightclub fire to settle federal civil suits against them.

The fire left 100 people dead and more than 200 others hurt. The blaze started when the manager for the rock band Great White set off pyrotechnics at the beginning of the show and sparks ignited the foam used as soundproofing.

The latest offer brings the pool of money offered to the victims and their families to $102.815 million.

The plaintiffs are suing several foam companies because they say the soundproofing foam in the nightclub was highly flammable and not tested properly before it was sold.

The Journal said the victims' attorneys have been conducting tests on foam found at the club in an attempt to determine which company manufactured it.

In the meantime, the victims are suing several companies they believe may have manufactured it.