© 2021 Post University, Waterbury, CT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Due Date: 11:59 p.m. EST, Sunday of Unit 6
Points: 100
Overview:
Case studies are a useful tool to study fire investigation. It allows us to see how the
theoretical knowledge has real world application. In this course we will look at the
response and investigation of infamous fires and emergencies.
Instructions:
In 2003 a fire broke out at The Station Nightclub in West Warwick, RI. Pyrotechnics
from the band “The Great White’s” stage show ignited soundproofing and spread rapidly
throughout the packed nightclub. 100 were killed and it became the 4th deadliest
nightclub fire in US history.
• Research the Station Nightclub fire.
• Summarize the details of the fire.
o Investigations conducted subsequent to the fire.
o Mitigating factors that increased the significance of this fire.
o What caused this fire to start and then spread?
o What caused this fire to kill so many people?
▪ Mitigating factors that cause such a high fatality count.
o If undetermined, what are possible sources of ignition?
o Pretend you are the initial investigator assigned to this case. Because of its
scale what other agencies would you want to assist you in the investigation?
▪ Investigations conducted subsequent to the fire
o Should building owners be held responsible for situations they create (ie
overcrowding, blocked exits) even if they are not responsible for why the fire
started? Should they be civilly liable? What about criminally?
o What were the criminal and civil ramifications of the Station Nightclub Fire?
▪ Any pending criminal indictments or civil suits resulting from the fire.
Requirements:
• Minimum three pages in length, excluding the Title and Reference page.
• APA format, including an in-text citation for referenced works.
• At least two resources.
CRJ344 – Fire & Arson Investigation
Case Study – Station Nightclub Fire
© 2021 Post University, Waterbury, CT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Be sure to read the criteria by which your work will be evaluated before you write
and again after you write.
© 2021 Post University, Waterbury, CT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Evaluation Rubric for Case Study – Station Nightclub Fire Assignment
CRITERIA Deficient Needs
Improvement
Proficient Exemplary
(0-38 points) (39-51 points) (52-64 points) (65 points)
Content Does not cover
the assigned
topic; assertions
are not supported
by evidence;
paper is seriously
lacking in content
and detail.
Does not do an
adequate job of
covering the
assigned topic;
assertions are
weakly supported
by evidence.
Sufficient
coverage of the
topics; most
assertions are
supported by
evidence.
Provides in-depth
coverage of the
topics, assertions
are clearly
supported by
evidence.
(0-5 points) (6-7 points) (8-9 points) (10 points)
Resources No resources
included.
Includes at least 1
resource.
Includes at least 2
resources.
Includes more
than 2 resources.
Paper Length Less than one
page. Does not
meet page
requirements.
Does not meet the
minimum page
requirements.
Meets the
minimum
requirements.
Exceeds the
minimum
requirements.
(0-8 points) (9-11 points) (12-14 points) (15 points)
Clear and
Professional
Writing and APA
Format
Errors impede
professional
presentation;
guidelines not
followed. APA
references/citation
s have significant
errors.
Significant errors
that do not impede
professional
presentation. Sev
eral errors in the
APA
reference/citation.
Few errors that do
not impede
professional
presentation. Few
errors in the APA
reference/citation.
Writing and format
are clear,
professional, APA
compliant, and
error free.
