Bliz
02-24-2003, 01:57 PM
Here is my stepson's father's statement concerning the events surrounding February20th.
No Goodbye’s
By Barry Ferreira
A Survivor
Going from one end of the joys of life to another is one of the hardest things we humans must face. To go from one end of the spectrum to the other in the matter of minutes can tear at the very fabric of one’s soul. These are the emotions that I felt on February 20, 2003. A night of fun with a friend of mine turned so quickly to horror and despair.
On that fateful night, the excitement of listening to one of my favorite bands was at a peak. The waiting moments seemed to be hours. The crowd’s anticipation grew. It was easy to get caught up in the happiness and excitement that was flowing through the crowd.
As the music began to play, the cheers rose from the audience. People move closer to the stage to see their music heroes and feel part of what promised to be an electrifying evening.
Then the unthinkable occurred. In the midst of all of the fanfare, a tragedy began to unfold. First a spark, then flames. As the crowd stood there stunned and not sure what was happening, the story of many lives began their final chapter.
Chaos ensued as the smoke and fire spread throughout the venue. The screams began to rise as the crowd headed towards the front door. Too many at the same time. Pushing and shoving began to be the prevailing option. Smoked filled the tiny venue as well as the lungs of its patrons.
People tried to escape by any means that they could. The lucky few of us who exited the club immediately, rushed back to the building to pull the remainder of our fellow audience members out. Everyone reached into the burning building trying to grab anyone. No one cared who was who. We all knew that everyone had to get out.
Seconds before the arrival of the first fire apparatus, the flames forced us away from the building leaving many behind. Something each and every one of us will never come to grips with. As they announced the number of victims, something stabbed at the very heart of each and every one of us. The higher the number got, the more painful it was.
As the firefighters battled the blaze and continued with the rescue effort, those of us who were physically able began tending to the wounded. Many of us carried people we never knew with the care of a loved one to the triage/burn center in the neighboring restaurant.
As hours past, the work continued for all of us. The searching for loved ones, for other people’s loved ones, for everybody. Something tragic happened and everyone’s lives have been changed forever. This night will never be forgotten by any of us who lived it first hand.
People ask what made you risk your life to save others but we just don’t know. Most of us weren’t trained to do this. We just knew we needed to help. In the words of a dear friend of mine, Rik Emmett, “Sometimes you gotta hold your breath and take that mighty leap of faith.”
The hardest part was not being able to say goodbye to our fellow music lovers, our friends, and our family. For the 97 victims found in the venue, we all love you and will be forever touched by our brief encounter.
God bless the souls of those lost, and protect
those that were injured……
No Goodbye’s
By Barry Ferreira
A Survivor
Going from one end of the joys of life to another is one of the hardest things we humans must face. To go from one end of the spectrum to the other in the matter of minutes can tear at the very fabric of one’s soul. These are the emotions that I felt on February 20, 2003. A night of fun with a friend of mine turned so quickly to horror and despair.
On that fateful night, the excitement of listening to one of my favorite bands was at a peak. The waiting moments seemed to be hours. The crowd’s anticipation grew. It was easy to get caught up in the happiness and excitement that was flowing through the crowd.
As the music began to play, the cheers rose from the audience. People move closer to the stage to see their music heroes and feel part of what promised to be an electrifying evening.
Then the unthinkable occurred. In the midst of all of the fanfare, a tragedy began to unfold. First a spark, then flames. As the crowd stood there stunned and not sure what was happening, the story of many lives began their final chapter.
Chaos ensued as the smoke and fire spread throughout the venue. The screams began to rise as the crowd headed towards the front door. Too many at the same time. Pushing and shoving began to be the prevailing option. Smoked filled the tiny venue as well as the lungs of its patrons.
People tried to escape by any means that they could. The lucky few of us who exited the club immediately, rushed back to the building to pull the remainder of our fellow audience members out. Everyone reached into the burning building trying to grab anyone. No one cared who was who. We all knew that everyone had to get out.
Seconds before the arrival of the first fire apparatus, the flames forced us away from the building leaving many behind. Something each and every one of us will never come to grips with. As they announced the number of victims, something stabbed at the very heart of each and every one of us. The higher the number got, the more painful it was.
As the firefighters battled the blaze and continued with the rescue effort, those of us who were physically able began tending to the wounded. Many of us carried people we never knew with the care of a loved one to the triage/burn center in the neighboring restaurant.
As hours past, the work continued for all of us. The searching for loved ones, for other people’s loved ones, for everybody. Something tragic happened and everyone’s lives have been changed forever. This night will never be forgotten by any of us who lived it first hand.
People ask what made you risk your life to save others but we just don’t know. Most of us weren’t trained to do this. We just knew we needed to help. In the words of a dear friend of mine, Rik Emmett, “Sometimes you gotta hold your breath and take that mighty leap of faith.”
The hardest part was not being able to say goodbye to our fellow music lovers, our friends, and our family. For the 97 victims found in the venue, we all love you and will be forever touched by our brief encounter.
God bless the souls of those lost, and protect
those that were injured……