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 think that all nightclubs should have doormen keep head count so that they do not exceed their limit per law. Also i think that everyone that goes to the club should be made aware of all exits in case of emergency

beth

One of the earlier articles this morning quoted the lighting guy at the Station who said something to the effect that the band's road manager was the one setting up the pyrotechnics and that the lighting guy got nervous. Why didn't he immediately call one of the owners? Whay wasn't there someone from the club there to supervise the load-in and sound check? And the Derderians' statement says that one of them was there at the time of the fire and helped people get out. Well, didn't HE of all people notice that things were set up on stage that shouldn't have been there? And what was the band thinking when they saw the small setup? Where was the common sense? weren't they afraid they might get burned with falling embers? There was an interview as well with the owner of the NJ club where Great White played a couple of nights ago, where they pulled the same thing, pyrotechnics without permission. Why didn't it occur to this bar owner to perhaps call The Station and give them a heads up? As far as I'm concerned, EVERYONE responsible for putting on the show is to blame. God rest the victims.

Madra, waltham

I think that all the clubs should be shut down. They're nothing but exstacy dens where kids go and get drugged up then come home and do stupid things. They offer no positive light on life.

Bill, Everett, MA

What a horrific tradedy. My prayers are with everyone involved. But I have a thought as to why the news camera man for News 12 Providence didn't put down the camera and pull people out of the door way that were stuck. Is getting film footage more important than helping people? God Bless the rescue and recovery crew. There efforts have been immaculate and professional throughout this tradedy.

Helen, Fall River, MA

We have a funding issue in Massachusetts and the Citizens should voice their desire to maintain public safety. Boston Fire needs to have their Fire Prevention Department staffed so there is enough manpower to enforce the fire codes. You can't justify saving money from a salary if it costs a person their life!

Public Safety Supporter, Watertown

Those poor people. Given how fast that fire spread and how thick the smoke was, only sprinklers would have done the job - sprinklers and likely an excellent emergency generator for lighting/exits - lighting would have helped in the Chicago tragedy, too. So many places have been 'grandfathered' in to not have to comply to sprinker laws. We can't afford it anymore.

Catherine, Waltham

I think people need to be extra aware of their surroundings as far as checking out where exits are and possibly where fire extinguishers are kept. However, clubs need to really have their exits clearly marked, more than they are now. A lot of clubs have the walls and doors all painted the same color, such as black. This can be very confusing in a panic situation such as a fire. Exits need to stand out from the rest of the interior, not blended in so that no one can tell whether it's a door or a wall or an exit. In a fire situation, people can't think rationally. Often the smoke inhalation can make people disoriented and confused even along with the panic of the situation. Clubs need to do more to protect their patrons.

Julie, Lowell

Night clubs should be designed with more exits. I notice in all the clubs I have gone to there is only one main entrance/exit . If the clubs in Chicago and Providence had alternative exits the casualties and injuries might not have been so high. People will naturally panic causing mass histeria when there lives are in danger. My condolences to those who have died and are injured by this tragedy.

Carla, Brockton

There are still too many idiots who do drugs and drink way too much at clubs. In the event of an emergency, who knows what they would do? Always look for emergency exits whenever you enter a buliding.

Brae, Boston

Before anything, i just want to send out my thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families. Pyrotechnics are a wonderful addition to concerts as long as their outdoors. There fireworks. We dont run around and shoot fireworks off in our houses. Concert halls are the same thing. When i see Metallica in july, sure theres gonna be fireworks out doors, but indoors, its a joke. Im really surprised it had to come to this for people to realize that fireworks indoors are an awful idea.

Mike, pelham