Club owner in fatal fire out of prison

Providence, R.I. (AP) - A former co-owner of a Rhode Island nightclub where a fire killed 100 people has been released early from prison for good behavior.

A spokesman for the state prison says Michael Derderian was freed Thursday.

Derderian said in an e-mailed statement that his time in prison was difficult but that others have suffered worse. He was initially due out this fall but was given credit for good behavior.

Derderian spent less than three years behind bars after pleading no contest to 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter for a February 2003 fire at The Station nightclub in West Warwick.

The fire began when pyrotechnics used by the 1980s rock band Great White ignited cheap foam used as soundproofing.