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? .

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I'm amazed at the stupidity of a band and respective managers that thought it was o.k. to use pyrotechnics at a club that holds 300 people. What were they thinking? They ought to be ashamed of themselves. Fire is not something that should be used at concerts or anywhere else involving hundreds of people...people should know how dangerous it can be.

Ken, Providence RI

This is another sobering reminder of how vital the Fire & Rescue Departments are to their communities. I hope people remember the Worcester Fire, September 11th, and this devastating fire when they sit at their town & city meetings and the "brain trusts" continue their careless cutting of the Fire Departments & E.M.S. My heart goes out to the families who lost loved ones.

Jeff, Stoughton, MA

It's an awful, tragic way to die, and I am praying for all the families. People were just out to have a good time and then the unthinkable happens. When a crowd starts to surge, there is no way "to keep a cool head" --- the articles on club and concert safety that are appearing al over the Internet now recommend moving in the direction of the crowd to avoid being trampled. So what could any individual do but obey their instinct to survive? I do think that, especially after this week, people will be going out less to bars and other such venues. And owners of such places will have to put in all available fire safety measures -- whether the law says they have to or not --- and document to the public that they have done this. There has to be announcements of where fire exits are made at the beginning of the night, and there should be floor maps of the clubs printed on the backs of any publicity flyers. Still, I think people will avoid crowded entertainment venues in general for years to come. There will still be people who will attend, depending on the act, but not in the same numbers as previous years. I think there will be a marked decrease in willingness to attend these places.

saima, malden

Let's stop trying to have our government officials responsible for the stupidity of the general public. The members of the band Great White used poor judgement that resulted in the deaths of many people. The members of the band should be held responsible for manslaughter. Now it's up to 95 counts. If my child had been in that club I'd want their heads!

NoFingerPointing, Rowley

First off. I pray to God for all the people that lost their lives or were injured in the disaster at The Station. I was supposed to be there last night. I had my tickets but opted not to attend. There should not be ANY piro in small clubs like the Station. Especially when they do NOT have to have sprinkler systems by law. EVERY place should have sprinklers! There should be better signs to show exits in buildings. I always look for exits or windows to escape when ever I am out. Maybe I am paranoid, but I always look. If there were no permits pulled for the band to have piros at the show, the band and not the owners of the Station, should be responsible. My prays go out to all of the victims and their families. GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

Michael, Woonsocket RI

Every public bar or nightclub should have at the entrance, in a well accessible and lit area, an exhibit(picture) of the place describing all exit doorways, due to a fire or any disaster. Each exit should have more illumination than the orange lit signs. The doors should be larger and be lit up as an emergency exit. The DJ a or announcer before and during the evenings should have to announce emergency locations at least 3-4 times during a 4-5 hour time frame, saying something like: "The new emergency doorways, illuminated all in green are for any emergency for anyone to use" We def need a standard practice better defining these exits, I believe first coming up with a standard well lit door and making well known to everyone. Anthony

Anthony, Boston

We are all feeling the intense sadness that this incident has caused and our hearts go out to the loved ones of those lost and injured. May we all acknowledge, like on 9/11, all those involved in the rescue/recovery effort - I can't possibly imagine what you are going through. This is tragedy at its worst. God bless you all.

Saddened, Cambridge

This was a very tragic accident! How could they allow something like this to happen? It just doesn't make sense!

Richard, Milton

My heart aches as I watch this horrible event unfold on televison. Pyrotechnics is outlawed in Massachusetts which is why I went to RI twice to see KISS in the 1980s. My concern is that this could still happen here because of over crowding. The Avalon is one example of overcrowing people into a club. I have attended many shows there so I am talking from experience. We who love rock and roll and concerts should not stop attending, but should prepare better when we attend our next show. God Bless the families and friends of those who have perished.

Ann, Boston

As a host or what people like to call a "Bouncer" I feel that it is 50/50 owner of venu, and the patrons, to make the night safe. When you go to a club or bar the first thing you should do is look for the exits. Owners are getting enough money from these people, so there should be NO REASON why every exit door should have a "bouncer" just for that one time something could happen. That one time can and will close that venus doors for ever. Death and having a good time should not go together. God Bless the familys involved with these cituations.Now may be we will be more caucios when we go out on the town. Cheers,Chaz

chaz, Boston "Bean Town" Mass.