Station Fire Memorial Park

Station Fire Memorial Park is a park located in the state of Rhode Island. It was created and dedicated following The Station nightclub fire that occurred on February 20, 2003, resulting in 100 deaths and 230 injuries, and is located on the same property that the fire took place. It was officially dedicated and opened to the public on May 17, 2017.[2]

Station Fire Memorial Park
Station Fire Memorial Park in December 2018
LocationWest Warwick, Rhode Island, United States
Coordinates41°41′03.5″N 71°30′39″W
EstablishedFebruary 17, 2013 (2013-02-17)[1]
Station Fire Memorial Park in December 2018

History
Main article: The Station nightclub fire

The park is created in memory of the victims affected by a nightclub fire that occurred on Thursday, February 20, 2003 in West Warwick, Rhode Island. It was caused by pyrotechnics set off by the tour manager of the evening's headlining band Great White, which ignited plastic foam used as sound insulation in the walls and ceilings surrounding the stage. The toxic smoke, heat, and panic resulted in a human crush toward the main exit, which became the location with the highest number of human casualties in the building due to those caught in the crush being unable to move or escape. As of May 2017, it is the fourth-deadliest nightclub fire in US history. It resulted in 100 deaths and 230 injuries.[2] Many of the survivors developed posttraumatic stress disorder as a result of psychological trauma.[3]

The fire started just seconds into the band's opening song, their 1991 Billboard Mainstream Rock hit "Desert Moon", when pyrotechnics set off by tour manager Daniel Biechele ignited flammable acoustic foam on both sides and the top center of the drummer's alcove at the back of the stage. Most people decided to exit the building using the front door through which they had all entered. The ensuing stampede led to a crush in the narrow hallway leading to that exit, quickly blocking the exit completely and resulting in numerous deaths and injuries among the patrons and staff. A total of 462 people were in attendance, even though the club's official licensed capacity was 404.[4]

Following the investigation of the event, the site of the fire was cleared of all materials, structures, and debris, and a multitude of crosses were placed as memorials, left by loved ones of the deceased. On May 20, 2003, nondenominational services began to be held at the site of the fire for a number of months. Access remains open to the public, and memorial services are held each February 20.[5] In June 2003, the Station Fire Memorial Foundation (SFMF) was formed with the purpose of purchasing the property in order to build and maintain a memorial for the victims of the event.[6] In September 2012, the owner of the land, Ray Villanova, donated the property of the site to the SFMF.[7] By April 2016, $1.65 million of the $2 million fundraising goal had been achieved and construction of the memorial had commenced.[8][9] The memorial dedication ceremony took place on May 21, 2017.[10]

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References
  1. Krause, Nancy (May 19, 2017). "Timeline: A look at how the Station Fire Memorial became reality". WPRI. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  2. "Memorial Park Opens at Site of Rhode Island Nightclub Fire That Killed 100". NBC News. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  3. "The Station fire took emotional toll on survivors, study finds". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  4. Parker, Paul Edward (December 3, 2007). "Tally of a tragedy: 462 were in The Station on night of fire". The Providence Journal.
  5. Laguarda, Ignacio (2015-03-22). "Station Nightclub Fire Memorial On Track For 2016 Opening". Hartford Courant. Associated Press. Retrieved 2015-10-01.
  6. "Our Mission". The Station Fire Memorial Foundation. Archived from the original on 2007-07-11. Retrieved 2016-04-22.
  7. Smith, Michelle R. (2012-12-28). "Owner of burned RI club donates land for memorial". AP. Retrieved 2016-04-22.
  8. Beacon staff writers (2016-04-05). "Job Lot customers respond to Station Fire Memorial drive". Warwick Beacon. Retrieved 2016-04-22.
  9. "SFM Park". The Station Fire Memorial Foundation. Archived from the original on 2016-05-26. Retrieved 2016-04-22.
  10. Towne, Shaun (2017-05-21). "Memorial park dedicated to victims of Station Nightclub Fire". WPRI.
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