Great White offers fire victims $1M

WEST WARWICK, R.I., Sept. 3 (UPI) -- The rock band Great White reportedly has offered $1 million to settle lawsuits stemming from a fatal fire at a Rhode Island nightclub where they performed.

The musicians weren't charged in connection with the 2003 blaze that killed 100 people, including the band's guitarist Ty Longley, at The Station nightclub in West Warwick, R.I.

However, the group's tour manager, Daniel Biechele, pleaded guilty in 2006 to 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter since he was the one who used the pyrotechnics that ignited packaging foam the club's owners had used for soundproofing, consequently starting the fire.

Biechele was paroled in March after serving less than half of his four-year prison sentence.

USA Today said the band has offered $1 million to settle lawsuits connected to the fire.

The newspaper said the dozens of defendants involved in the case have offered a total of about $175 million to settle lawsuits filed by survivors of the blaze and families of the dead.

Billboard.com said despite the settlement, Great White isn't admitting any wrongdoing.

The music Web site also said the band's insurer is covering the settlement, which must, among other conditions, be approved by the parties suing.