THE US: Murder charges may be brought against those held responsible for the Rhode Island nightclub blaze caused by a fireworks display last week, which killed 96 people.
Mr Patrick Lynch, the Rhode Island district attorney, is expected to convene a grand jury to consider what charges to bring.
It was still unclear yesterday who might be charged. The owners of the destroyed club, The Station, and the band involved, Great White, were disputing each other's version of whether the band had asked permission to use fireworks.
Lead singer Jack Russell said the club management had given specific consent. "We always ask," he insisted.
But Mr Jeff Derderian, the joint owner of the club, said: "At no time did my brother or I have any knowledge that any pyrotechnics would be used by the band."
His version was given some credence by owners of other clubs where Great White have performed. Mr Dominic Santana, owner of the Stone Pony club in New Jersey, said: "Our stage manager didn't even know it until it was done. My sound man freaked out because of the heat and everything."
It is thought that some of those who may have heard the issue discussed by the two sides may be among the dead.
Relatives of the dead were taken by bus to the scene yesterday and the State Governor, Mr Don Carcieri, ordered a ban on flying within eight kilometres of the site to protect their privacy.
All the bodies are believed to have been recovered, but investigators are being forced to use dental records to complete identification: only 15 bodies had been identified early yesterday, while 80 people were still in hospital.
"We're all asking the same questions," Mr Carcieri said. - (Guardian Service)