Locals visit memorial for 21st anniversary of Station Nightclub fire

WEST WARWICK, R.I. (WLNE) — Today marks the 21st anniversary of the deadliest fire in Rhode Island history.

Locals stopped by the memorial site of the Station Nightclub fire in West Warwick to honor those who lost their lives.

“I thought since it’s 21 [years ago], I’m going to be okay, but definitely not,” said Gina Russo, survivor and president of the Station Fire Memorial Foundation. “I had my moment.”

For Russo and many Rhode Islanders, Feb. 20 is a day they’ll never forget.

100 people died and more than 200 were hurt after the fire started during a concert late that night.

“It was fun,” Russo said. “It was a vibrant atmosphere.”

But then things took a turn, and sparks turned to flames.

“I can remember seeing the pyrotechnics go up,” Russo recalled. “Fred just looked at me and said, ‘this is bad, they are too big for this building.'”

Russo recounted the chaos that ensued.

“I remember getting there and trying to turn around, and everybody was running for that one exit and it looked like a stampede,” Russo said. “The ceiling was melting, lights were shattering, and I remember my breaths getting shorter and shorter and thinking, this is where I am going to die.”

Russo then passed out and was taken to the hospital where she spent several months recovering.

Her fiancée Fred did not make it out of the nightclub alive.

No official memorial service was held Tuesday, although every year dozens come to the memorial on Cowesett Avenue to pay their respects.

“My heart was broken,” said Bruce Cain, who lost his fiancée in the fire. “My life was turned upside down, and I miss her every day.”

Russo now holds the title of president of the Station Fire Memorial Foundation and helps others mourn their loss.

“I feel like most people feel the peace when they are on the property,” Russo said. “They can feel the shift from that tragic event, to okay, there is a little bit of peace now.”

“This is beautiful for everybody to come and see it,” Cain added. “To be with their loved ones that they lost. I come here every year.”