Digital Extra: Forged by Fire

Journal file photo / Mary Murphy West Warwick Fire Marshal Denis P. Larocque examines the ruins of The Station nightclub on Feb. 21, the day after the worst fire in Rhode Island history. Larocque had inspected the club numerous times, but never noted the flammable foam sound insulation that covered its walls.

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The following is a summary of reporting sources used by Tom Mooney and Zachary R. Mider for this story:

Foam is glued to the club's walls: West Warwick police affidavits, West Warwick fire inspection records; interview with Kathleen M. Hagerty.

Denis P. Larocque declines to speak publicly: Interview with Larocque's lawyer Joseph J. Rodio; interview request with Larocque.

Events leading up to the transfer of The Station's liquor license in March 2000: West Warwick Police, Fire, and Building Department records; Nov. 16, 1999 letter from Police Chief Peter Brousseau to Leon Piasczyk; interview with Frank L. Venezia, minimum housing inspector.

Denis P. Larocque's personal background: West Warwick employee records; voter registration records; interviews with Larocque's friends Jean P. Roch and Christopher J. Coffua.

Denis P. Larocque's inspection of The Station on March 2, 2000: West Warwick fire inspection records.

Larocque family history: Genealogical records; interviews with Larocque's friends Roch and Gregory Laboissonniere; obituary of Joseph G. Larocque.

Denis P. Larocque's early work history: Interview with Laboissonniere; a 1991 interview with Larocque.

West Warwick Fire Department history: The Providence Journal: Sept. 25, 1978; Jan. 23, 1986; March 23, 1989; and Feb. 20, 1997.

Neighbors' complaints about the nightclub: West Warwick police records, Town Council minutes.

Larocque becomes fire marshal: Interviews with Larocque's friends Roch, Coffua, Blake Laverdiere; former fire marshals Russell N. Ouellette and Robert E. Kelley.

Duties of a fire marshal: Fire Department contract, town personnel records; interviews with former West Warwick fire marshals Emilio DiCarlo, Ouellette and Kelley, and Town Manager Wolfgang Bauer.

The Derderians come to town: Interviews with The Station sound technician Paul M. Vanner and neighbor Helen T. Piasczyk.

Derderians efforts to get The Station's liquor license: Tape recording of the March 21 Town Council meeting, fire inspection records, liquor license records.

Larocque raises occupancy level at The Station: Fire inspection records; interviews with Bauer, Rodio and William F. Howe.

Lovin' Kry performs at The Station: Interview with Rev Tyler; Fire Department records.

Larocque's reputation as an inspector: Interviews with Stephen E. Simas, Richard Bettez, Charles M. Mauti and Laboissonniere; school inspection records.

Barry Warner helps the Derderians buy foam: West Warwick police search warrant affidavit; interview with Aram DerManouelian.

Foam is not flagged by West Warwick inspectors: Fire inspection records; Jan. 6, 2003 letter written by Larocque to Joseph Rizzo.