Rhode Island station pulls 'CSI: Miami' episode

A CBS affiliate won't air a show that focuses on a nightclub fire out of respect for victims and survivors of the February blaze that killed 99.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - A Providence-area CBS affiliate won't air an episode of CSI: Miami that deals with a nightclub fire out of respect for the victims and survivors of the West Warwick blaze that killed 99 people.

The episode, scheduled to air Monday, focuses on the criminal investigation of a fire at a Miami nightclub that was caused by pyrotechnics.

Officials think the band Great White's pyrotechnic display sparked the Feb. 20 fire at the Station nightclub. Flames quickly spread through the one-story wooden building, and 99 people died as they scrambled for the exits. Nearly 200 other people were injured.

"The episode contains some striking similarities to the tragic fire at the Station nightclub," WPRI-TV said in a statement. "Out of respect for the victims, their families and the Rhode Island community, WPRI-TV will not air the episode."

Instead, the station will air excerpts of a nightclub fire benefit concert that took place April 22 in Providence.

Chris Ender, senior vice president of communications for CBS, said the idea for the upcoming episode already was in the works before the deadly fire in Rhode Island.

CBS said it was unaware of other affiliates that wouldn't air the episode.

A WPRI photographer was at the Station the night of the fire, gathering bar scene footage for a story about safety in public places.

The reporter was Jeffrey Derderian, co-owner of the Station. WPRI officials say Derderian's club was not to be a focus of the story, but journalism experts have said the arrangement violated conflict of interest standards.

Derderian is still employed and paid by WPRI, but hasn't returned to work. Photographer Brian Butler is on the job.

Quinn said the decision to pull the CSI: Miami episode had nothing to do with Derderian, who has been named in civil lawsuits connected to the fire. A criminal investigation into the blaze is pending.

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