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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Through out the night the DJ should point out all the exits in the club.

Alicia, Manchester, NH

Fires can bring about drastic destruction even when all safety precautions are taken. In this sense, why should one even consider a license for indoor pyrotechic events? Even with sprinklers are we certain that a fiery explosion would not have occurred that would have negated the value of sprinklers? I may just be an old fogie but it seems to me that a simple preventative would be to abolish the thought of allowing indoor pyrotechnics. Combined with sprinklers and unlocked easily accessible doors that open outwardly (which in Massachusetts at least has been mandated since the Coconut Grove fire in 1942)chances of such disasters should be greatly diminished. In any case, until someone convinces me to the contrary I'll believe that it is pure idiocy to allow indoor pyrotechnics, even under the safest of conditions.

Herb Gross, Brookline, MA

I am shocked that some people are blaming the patrons who were either injured or killed. Of course there was going to be a panic. The entire building was aflame in 3 minutes. The ceiling was on fire. This tragedy was caused by the use of pyrotechnics not by the people. The people only wanted to live..

Erin, Wilmington

In defense of the band (I read someone blaming Jack Russell), be reminded that the band is only the band. Managers run the show and the band just shows up to play. This is a terrible tragedy, and I do have to say that the owners should have people who KNOW what is going on. And the person who is in charge of getting permission should go to jail...whoever that may be.

Melissa, East Boston, MA

I'm horrified by this tragedy and by the tragedy in Chicago. I feel so horrible for the people this happened to and for the families. I can't even fathom such horror. I also agree with many on this board that these tragedies are almost inevitable given the size of crowds at so many nightclubs. I've often been frightened by the thought of what would happen if there was a fire at a club like Avalon just simply because of the enormous number of people. I think we have to realize that packing this many people in an enclosed space is inherently risky. The risk goes up as you add in other factors such as alcohol, dancing, rowdy crowds, and loud music. Much in the way I feel it was invetibale that there would be a disaster in a large skyscraper, I think these nightclub incidents are also inevitable given how they tend to be so overcrowded. Clearly though, we can do a lot towards preventing such horrific tragedies by focusing on safety and crowd management. I really hope this is a wake up call to all you club owners.

Dan, Waltham

Very easy for all of you to be back seat drivers at this point. Stop pointing fingers and pray for the victims and the families of the deceased! Nobody meant for this to happen.

Mary , Framingham

Another thing... maybe the fire codes need to be stricter. Any commercial building should be equipped with sprinklers. The owners, knowing they had a WOODEN BOX as a building should have coughed up the extra money to have them put in, but alas, they didn't HAVE to, so they DIDN'T.

Melissa, East Boston, MA

It would seem to me that an announcement should be made before a show gets underway about where the emergency exits are (just like on a plane). People should take it upon themselves to locate the emergency exits as well. Especially after the last two night club tragedies, I know I will take that precaution to heighten my own awareness. I also think it is becoming abundandlty clear that Great White DID NOT ask for permission to use pyrotechnics, but went ahead and did it anyway. I can't imagine a club with such low ceilings would EVER allow that to go on if they had prior knowlegde of it. Very very sad.

Kristen, Somerville

Too many to list. Boston is the worst. They have these small bars, clubs ect. with a capacity of 100 or so and have more than 200 in there. It is stupid. With what happened in RI, Like heck the owners did not know about the set up. They had to have seen them put the equpt. together. Trying to cover up thier part. Happy lawsuit.

Melissa, Boston

It is an absolute shame that (at this reading) 85 people have lost their lives...what can be done in the future? Clubs should take better measures to ensure people know where exits are and not pack so many people into a small area - such a situation just lends itself to tragedy.

Chris, Braintree