Associated Press
WEST WARWICK, R.I. — Survivors of a 2003 nightclub fire that killed 100 people have marked the 14th anniversary of the blaze with small gatherings where it happened.
Small gatherings of survivors and relatives of those who died were held Sunday and Monday at the site of the former Station nightclub in West Warwick. On Sunday, attendees joined hands in a circle and spent 100 seconds in silence to honor those killed. On Monday, a small group gathered during a prayer by a local priest.
The site is now a construction zone. It’s being turned into a permanent memorial to those who died and to rescuers and others who helped respond to the fire on Feb. 20, 2003.
The Station Fire Memorial Foundation raised $2 million for the memorial park. Gina Russo, president of the group and a survivor of the fire, said on Monday that the cost of stone was more expensive than anticipated so the group is working to fundraise $120,000 more to pay for it.
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The park is expected to open in May, Russo said.
“It’s exciting to see it finally coming together,” she said. “It’s really nice. It’s beautiful.”
Pyrotechnics for the rock band Great White started the blaze, setting fire to flammable foam that lined the inside of the club. More than 200 people were injured.
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