By Steve Klamkin WPRO News
The 20th anniversary of the Station Nightclub fire that claimed 100 lives was a low-key event that brought a steady stream of people to the West Warwick park that rose from the ashes of one of the nation’s deadliest fires.
More than 200 people were injured, some severely in the February 20, 2013 fire, touched off by pyrotechnics used during a performance by rock band.
A steady flow of people came to the site on Monday, including fire survivors, family and friends of those who were lost, and a number of public officials and dignitaries.
The memorial park was dedicated in 2017 after years of efforts by the Station Memorial Foundation.
“I couldn’t have asked for anything better,” said Foundation President Gina Russo. A fire survivor who lost her fiancee in the blaze, Russo was the center of media attention, but also elicited hugs and greetings from fellow survivors and family members.
“To see people here, not just today… you can drive by this park any day of the week, it doesn’t matter, rain, snow, doesn’t matter … there are people here visiting. They may have known someone, they may not have, they’re just walking through,” Russo said.
“It’s emotional, it doesn’t seem like 20 years, it seems like yesterday,” said Bruce Cain of Warwick, who came to remember his fiancee, Tina Ayer, who was lost in the fire.
“She was the love of my life, and now she’s the angel of my life. She will be missed. Every one of these people will be missed,” Cain said.
Gov. Dan McKee, accompanied by Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos, spoke with a number of people at the site as he placed a wreath at the “temple” at the rear of the park.
“This is one of those moments where everyone remembers where they were,” McKee said. “I really think that’s one of the days … to reflect on the importance of our neighbors and the fact that… Rhode Island is a state that comes together in times of tragedy like this.”
Also speaking with people at the park were state General Treasurer James Diossa and Roman Catholic Coadjutor Bishop Reverend Richard Henning.
