Key Dates in Fire Disaster History
The events listed below represent some of the major structure fires in the United States that resulted in a large loss of life. In no small part, the lessons learned from these tragedies were instrumental in the development and implementation of today's modern fire, life safety and building codes. This is especially so in Rhode Island with the passage of the Comprehensive Fire Safety Act of 2003 following The Station nightclub tragedy, which led to a complete revamping and updating of the then-existing codes resulting in today's current Fire Safety Code.
December 13, 1977
Providence College Aquinas Hall fire -- Providence, RI
10 fatalities -- 16 injuries
February 20, 2003
The Station nightclub fire -- West Warwick, RI
100 fatalities -- 230 injuries
"We Will Remember"
The Station fire
To learn more about the fire and its aftermath, visit here.
January 13, 1908 / Rhodes Opera House -- Boyertown, PA / 170 fatalities
March 4, 1908 / Lakeview School -- Collinwood, OH / 175 fatalities
March 18, 1937 / Consolidated School -- New London, TX / 294 fatalities
March 25, 1911 / Triangle Shirtwaist Factory -- New York, NY / 146 fatalities
April 10, 1917 / Eddystone Ammunition Plant -- Eddystone, PA / 133 fatalities
April 19, 1995 / Murrah Federal Building -- Oklahoma City, OK / 168 fatalities
April 21, 1930 / Ohio State Penitentiary -- Columbus, OH / 320 fatalities
April 23, 1940 / Rhythm Club -- Natchez, MS / 207 fatalities
May 15, 1929 / Cleveland Clinic -- Cleveland, OH / 125 fatalities
May 28, 1977 / Beverly Hills Supper Club -- Southgate, KY / 165 fatalities
July 6, 1944 / Hartford Circus -- Hartford, CT / 168 fatalities
September 11, 2001 / World Trade Center -- New York, NY / 2,752 fatalities
October 8-10, 1871 / Great Chicago Fire – Chicago, IL / 250 fatalities
November 28, 1942 / Coconut Grove Nightclub -- Boston, MA / 492 fatalities
December 5, 1876 / Conway's Theater -- Brooklyn, NY / 285 fatalities
December 7, 1946 / Winecoff Hotel -- Atlanta, GA / 119 fatalities
December 30, 1903 / Iroquois Theater -- Chicago, IL / 602 fatalities
[Data: NFPA]
Site Photograph
The Station Memorial
West Warwick, RI