Digital Extra: Forged by Fire

Journal photo / Bob Thayer TOWN HALL, the seat of political power in West Warwick. A former building inspector, who lasted just 16 months on the job, said this about the town: "It's all about, not what you know, but who you know... I wouldn't play that game."

Main story Slideshow Chronology Sources

November 1990: Karen Pare is hired by West Warwick Mayor J. Michael Levesque, a Republican, to fill the combined position of minimum housing officer and building inspector in West Warwick.

January 1991: Providence businessman, Nicholas R. DeStefano, takes over what was then a shuttered sports pub at 211 Cowesett Ave.

April 1991: Crackerjacks seeks -- and receives -- entertainment licenses from the town.

October 1992: Karen Pare finds electrical violations during an inspection at 66 Highland St.

December 1992: Karen Pare is fired by West Warwick Mayor Kathryn O'Hare, a Democrat.

February 1993: Richard Belham is hired as West Warwick building inspector.

January 1995: Karen Pare is rehired as West Warwick building inspector, and resigns within months.

July 1995: David A. Tacey begins work as West Warwick building inspector.

December 23, 1995: Four members of the Larocque family and a family friend die in an apartment fire at 66 Highland St., West Warwick.

January 1996: West Warwick building inspectors are deposed in connection with the Highland Street fire.

August 1996: Patrick R. Burelle is hired as West Warwick building inspector.

July 1997: Charles Mauti is hired as West Warwick building inspector.