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.

Station Memorial

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"

 

 

 

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

[Photo: UAV photography by RPB]