Rhode Island marks 20 years since 100 killed in Station nightclub fire

WEST WARWICK, R.I. (WLNE) — Monday marks the 20th anniversary of The Station nightclub fire that killed 100 people and injured more than 200 others.

The Feb. 20, 2003, fire at The Station nightclub in West Warwick is one of the deadliest fires in U.S. history and started when pyrotechnics for the rock band “Great White,” which was performing at the club that night, set fire to flammable foam installed as soundproofing and caused the ceiling and walls of the nightclub to go up in flames, trapping many inside.

The site of the fire is now a memorial park, and two decades later, loved ones and survivors of the fire are continuing to remember the tragic day.

Sunday, a memorial mass was held, attended by the families, as well as state leaders, like former Gov. Donald Carcieri and current Gov. Dan McKee.

Early Monday morning, some family members and members of the community already started to gather at the memorial park to pay their respects to the victims.

Flowers had been laid at all 100 of the memorial sites in the park, in front of each victim’s name.

Following the nightclub fire, the fire code in Rhode Island has changed, as fire chiefs and marshals now require trained crowd managers to comply with updated rules that address public safety.