A Phoenix club has temporarily closed its doors presumably to cleanup the mess after a band set fire inside the venue causing its sprinkler system to activate, soaking the audience and the floor, according to videos posted on social media.
WARNING: Some of the videos embedded in the story below contain swearing. Viewer discretion is advised.
Videos began to surface on social media Saturday night appearing to show a member of the rock-and-roll band, Three Bad Jacks, who was performing at The Rebel Lounge at the time, set a fire in front of the stage. The video also shows a band member pour what appears to be an accelerant of some type on it.
Seconds later, amid cheers, the sprinklers around the stage begin to go off, soaking the band, the audience and their equipment.
Kali Myers posted a video on Facebook. In a phone interview, she said this was the third band of the night and that the fire happened at the beginning of their set.
When Three Bad Jacks tries to burn down the joint.
Posted by Kali Myers on Saturday, February 13, 2016
In a Facebook post Monday morning, the venue said it's Monday night concert--featuring Fairy Bones, The Lonesome Wilderness, and Rareluth--had been canceled. It did not mention the fire or any reason for the cancelation.
The post said Rareluth rescheduled itself to perform Monday at Lawn Gnome Publishing and The Rogue Bar.
On its website, it's Tuesday night concerts featuring Futurekind, The Sink or Swim, Lay-Luz and Innocent Elaine was listed as canceled. It's Wednesday night concert lineup was still accepting ticket sales, however.
Myers said once the sprinklers went off, security began to get everyone out and the concert was over.
User Evilchavo posted three videos to Instagram of the event and gave ABC15 permission to use them for this story, but declined to provide any additional comment.
Initial messages to Three Bad Jacks went unanswered. However, the band posted a message onto their Facebook page Monday evening.
The band said the liquid poured onto the fire was rubbing alcohol. Then the sprinklers went off.
"No crazy fire no scared people . All of the people present have seen it before and were having a great time . Nothing shocking," the band wrote.
They tried to find a way to shut the water off, according to the posting, but that task can only be done by the fire department.
"We have played what feels like a 1000 shows in Arizona and we used rubbing alcohol EVERY show we have ever played," the band said. View their full statement here.
We reached out to The Rebel Lounge on Monday, but no one returned our calls.
On Tuesday, the venue posted a statement to their website saying the band did not have permission to use fire in their show and that they were unaware the band used fire in their shows, something the band itself contests.
"Three Bad Jacks did not have permission to use fire. They did not ask anyone at The Rebel Lounge for permission nor would any such permission have been granted," the statement said.
The venue said they were still assessing the damage and cleaning up. They hope to be open this week. The statement said they will assist the Phoenix Fire Department with their investigation should it be needed.
The Phoenix Fire Department said its arson investigators are looking into the situation.
Captain Aaron Ernsberger said the venue's working sprinkler system, fire alarms and proper emergency exits saved lives, prevented injuries and serves as a prime example of proper fire prevention methods.
Rebel Lounge's full statement:
Saturday night the band Three Bad Jacks set the floor in front of the stage on fire during their set at The Rebel Lounge. This immediately set off safety systems including fire alarms and sprinklers that put out the flames within seconds. The show was immediately ended and patrons were safely evacuated from the building. Thankfully no one was harmed in the incident and everyone left safely.
Three Bad Jacks did not have permission to use fire. They did not ask anyone at The Rebel Lounge for permission nor would any such permission have been granted. We have since learned that this band has had prior incidents of using fire in their set after explicitly being told not to do so.
At The Rebel Lounge we take the safety of our patrons very seriously which is why we chose to install the fire suppression system as part of our rehab of the historic Mason Jar building before opening last year.
We are in the process of assessing and repairing the water damage from the fire sprinkler system and hope to be open again by this weekend. We want to thank for Phoenix Fire Department for their assistance and support during and after this incident. We will continue to assist with any ongoing Phoenix Fire Department investigation should it be necessary.
-The Rebel Lounge
Three Bad Jacks full statement:
Hey All , We played a show in Phoenix and a sprinkler was set off . Nothing more than rubbing alcohol that burns itself out super quick . No crazy fire no scared people . All of the people present have seen it before and were having a great time . Nothing shocking , We were the last band to leave . We were also striking equipment off of stage with the help of some fans . We were aggressively looking for the water shut off . When we found it it could only be turned off by the Fire Dept . We did everything we could to help the situation . When the fire department came no band members were allowed in the venue . It was a unfortunate situation and we reached out to the venue earlier today . We have played what feels like a 1000 shows in Arizona and we used rubbing alcohol EVERY show we have ever played . We have friends and fans that work there as well as the owner. Some have attended or worked our show . The booker owner was not present at the show . There was a code of ethics read to all of the bands . And we agreed to everything . No one mentioned anything about sprinklers to us or not to do fire . THE SHOW WE PLAYED IS THE SHOW WE WERE HIRED TO PERFORM. Some venues say no fire and we follow instruction every time . I am not going to slander anyone or say anything bad either . We have a wicked great show and if you do not like R&R stay home . We will continue rocking ! The venue was packed and they kept all of the money . I paid everyone out of pocket .
