Rhode Islanders remember Station nightclub fire 20 years later

WEST WARWICK, R.I. (WLNE) — Monday marks 20 years since 100 people lost their lives in the Station nightclub fire.

St. Kevin Roman Catholic Parish held a mass of remembrance for the victims, their family, responders and survivors of the tragedy Sunday morning.

Community members joined in song and solidarity, remembering lives forever changed after that night.

The fire started on Feb. 20, 2003, after the rock band “Great White” set off pyrotechnics.

Flammable, sound-proof insulation on the walls and ceiling of the club ignited, quickly sparking a fast-moving fire that remains one of the deadliest in U.S. history.

The rapid spread of the fire is also attributed to the building’s lack of fire prevention features like sprinkler systems.

A memorial park now stands at the site of the tragedy, dedicated to community members who lost their lives and loved ones.

Sen. Jack Reed released a statement last week to honor the victims, survivors, and their families.

“We’re a small state, a tight community. Twenty years on, we still carry the collective loss, grief, and pain from that horrific night,” he said.

Reed also honored the first responders and those who risked their lives for the safety of others that night.