In the wake of last night's fatal fire at a Rhode Island nightclub and a stampede earlier this week at a Chicago venue, safety measures at clubs nationwide will likely be reevaluated. What measures should be taken in Boston to ensure the safety of its nightspots? What lessons can be learned -- by venue owners and concertgoers alike -- in terms of safety at clubs? .

Page 22

Never should this have happened! Regardless of permits or not, sprinklers or no sprinklers, and/or capacity limit. I blame the band and the club. This band should know from it's years of experience whether or not put up those type props in that size of a venue. Those type of props are to be used in arenas or outdoor venues only. End of story! The club owner and manager on that night should have been involved in the band set up and it IS the clubs responsibility to know what is taking place in their venue. I am a musician myself and am deeply disturbed by the lack of responsibility of both the performing band as well as the establishment in which this took place.

Kristine, Boston

The fatal fire is tragic. Buildings we design today are intended to protect the life and safety of the occupants. I express my sympathy to the families of those who died. Building code requirements, proper procedures where upgrading has not taken place in older buildings, and common sense all are needed to protect the life and safety of occupants. Some comments: If an old building, determine the extent to which it was obliged to upgrade to current codes. Determine if building codes were rigid. Determine if building codes were rigidly enforced. Determine if the club had prior code citations, not enforced. Determine why enforcement was lax, if it was. Determine if fire extinguishing systems were operating and tested regularly. Was the facility fully sprinklered? Was it required to be fully sprinklered? Did the facility meet handicapped requirements of the ADA or not? To what extent were the handicapped trapped? The news reports raised the issues that the owners were unaware of the pyrotechnics to be used. To what extent were the performers obliged to identify their requirements in performing and the fire safety elements of their presentation; to what extent were the owners obliged to ask about extraordinary and unusual performance features. At what point were the pyrotechnics known and could their use have been prevented or monitored by a fire marshall who may have been assigned to the facility.

Elliot , Boston, MA

Unfortunate tragedy. I was sickened to hear this. Should never have happened. The blame should not be a fore thought, BUT IS IMPORTANT. It makes you think. I was at a club this weekend and its in the basement of a building and only had one exit from what I could see. Its a death trap if something happens. Everyone make a note of the exits when entering a bar/nightclub. You will be surprised. Carefully wishes to all.

Joe, Watertown

This seems like a problem that will solve itself. Pyrotechnics and the eggshell foam that really let this fire get out of control will become undesirable, and clubs will take steps to eliminate both from their premises. No sensible band from this point on would ignite fireworks in a small club--it would be tasteless, if nothing else. What I fear is the persecution of clubs and clubowners who are not to blame for this terrible tragedy.

Brett, Allston

First I would like to say my heart goes out to all the famlies who lost a loved one. I am not by any means an expert in pyrotechnics but seeing how low the ceiling was in the footage was a clear indication this type of entertainment should have been kept to a minimal. No special effects should have been used in this type of venue. Also, Overcrowding is something I see all the time especially here in Boston. It's a big problem. It's hard to believe clubs have not learned their lesson yet. Venue owners should announce where all exits are located prior to a show beginning..

Roxie, Newton

This is a horrifying tragedy. My heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones and friends. If it is true that the band did not even ask permission of the club owners before setting off their pyrotechnic display, then they should be held responsible and have full weight of the law on them. As well as to have to live with the knowledge that they were responsible for the deaths of so many inoccent fans. As for safety concerns, clubs simply must do more. Even if the club owners are not responsible for the fact that the pyrotechnic display was set off without their permission, they are still, fully responsible for the, general safety and condition of the club's infrastructure. This place proved all too painfully that it was a horror waiting to happen. And for that, the club owners should feel, at the very least, ashamed of themselves. Spending an extra bit of money and time could, possibly have prevented such an incident from turning tragic, as this one did.

Disgusted, Marshfield

Thoughts and prayers to all who died in this...

Dan, Medford

Not setting off fireworks indoors would be a good place to start

Jeff, Boston

My thoughts and prayers go out the victims and families and friends in Rhode Island and Chicago. This is a tragic ending to all those lost lives. More appropriate precautions and safety measures need to be in place. Patrons should be informed prior to entering an establishment of an evacuation plan in case of an emergency.

ME, Boston,MA

it is a shame that the owners of the club and the band are pointing fingers about the pyrotechnics. i am sure someone from the club was there when the band set up. they say the devices and knew they were there. as far as I am concerned they are both liable and should both be held responsible

gmal