The Station nightclub in West Warwick, R.I., caught fire on Feb. 20, 2003, after a pyrotechnics display at a Great White concert ignited cheap foam soundproofing. The blaze killed 100 people.
REMEMBERING 2003 STATION NIGHTCLUB FIRE IN RHODE ISLAND
The Station nightclub in West Warwick, R.I., caught fire on Feb. 20, 2003, after a pyrotechnics display at a Great White concert ignited cheap foam soundproofing. The blaze killed 100 people.
Makeshift crosses honoring the fire’s 100 victims mark the site of the former nightclub.
A picture of Nick O'Neill, 18, is displayed over the fireplace in the Johnston, R.I., home of his parents, Dave Kane and Joanne O'Neill. O’Neill was the youngest victim of a fire at The Station nightclub.
Kane and his wife, Joanne O'Neill, invited a medium, Lisa Powers, to communicate with their son to celebrate what would have been his 28th birthday on Jan. 27.
Nick O’Neill’s parents had a carousel horse installed in their home. Before the fire that killed him, Nick had joked with his brother, Chris, about singing songs from the musical "Carousel," without having seen it. The musical, ironically, is about a young boy who dies and returns to watch over his family. Nick also bought his mother a toy musical carousel that went off on its own on Mother's Day 2003 after Nick died.
Dave Kane played with his grandson, Asher Nicholas O'Neill.
Nick O’Neill’s brother, David Kane, center, spoke to people at the party. Back, from left, are Jon Land, Vito Georgio, and Christian de Rezendes.
Dave Kane socialized at the party.
A birthday cake was served in honor of Nick O’Neill.
Joanne O'Neill lit candles on a cake for her son, the late Nick O'Neill, as her grandson, Asher Nicholas O'Neill, watched.
Asher Nicholas O'Neill blew out the candles as Dave Kane, left, watched.
Joanne O'Neill and Dave Kane listened as medium Lisa Powers spoke during the party.
Dave Kane, right, listened while medium Lisa Powers, left back, spoke.
Lisa Powers attempted to communicate with various spirits in front of a fireplace that has pictures of the late Nick O’Neill and his brothers.
David Kane, brother of the late Nick O’Neill, listened to a medium.
Lisa Powers, right, the medium, paused during her session.
The party guests listened attentively.
Joanne O'Neill, front, and Dave Kane, paid close attention while medium Lisa Powers spoke.
Dave Kane hugged Lisa Powers after her session. At left are pictures of Nick O’Neill and his brothers.
Gina Russo, a survivor of The Station nightclub fire who was badly burned, sat in her home in Cranston, R.I. She has had over 50 surgeries from her injuries. Her fiance, Fred Crisostomi, died in the fire. Russo is president of the The Station Fire Memorial Foundation. She also wrote a book about her experience called “From the Ashes.”
Gina Russo displayed some of her scars.
Gina Russo displayed scars from where she was burned at the base of her neck.
Mike Ricardi posed in Worcester with a framed picture of himself, vocalist Jack Russell of the band Great White, and his best friend James Gahan. The photograph was taken the night of the fatal fire at The Station nightclub. Gahan died in the blaze.
Pictured is a closeup of Mike Ricardi’s framed photograph of himself, Jack Russell, and the late James Gahan, who died in The Station fire.
Guitarist Mark Kendall of the heavy metal band Great White peformed at the Sycuan Casino in El Cajon, Calif., outside of San Diego on Feb. 1. He performed with Great White at The Station the night of the fatal fire in Rhode Island.
Great White singer Terry Ilous, left, joined guitarist Mark Kendall, right, onstage at the performance in California.
Jack Russell, a founder of Great White, performed at Saint Rocke's in Hermosa, Calif., on Feb. 7. Russell was onstage at The Station when a pyrotechnics display caught fire.
Jack Russell, right, spoke with a fan after his performance at the Saint Rocke club in Hermosa, Calif.
Jack Russell continues to tour.
Brother and sister Mark Fontaine, of Johnston, R.I., and Melanie Fontaine are pictured at a family wedding before the 2003 blaze. Mark died in the fire at The Station. His sister survived.
Pictured is a burnt ticket Mark Fontaine was carrying at The Station when the fatal fire that killed him erupted. Fontaine went to the concert with nine people. The blackened part of the ticket was sticking out of Fontaine’s pocket.
Melanie Fontaine played with her daughter, Hannah, in Southbridge.
Melanie Fontaine’s mother, Chris, of Johnston, R.I., installed a table onto the booster seat for her granddaughter Hannah, while grandson Gabriel watched.
