Digital Extra: The Station Fire

05:13 PM EST on Thursday, February 26, 2004

The Associated Press

BOSTON -- More than a year after a disastrous nightclub fire in Rhode Island, lawmakers here moved forward today with legislation that would toughen sprinkler requirements, increase inspector training and create strict penalties for fire code violators.

While some have complained the state has moved too slowly in enacting changes, others say that when the process is complete, Massachusetts will have among the toughest fire codes in the nation.

State Fire Marshal Steven Coan said the bill lawmakers are now considering is "the most comprehensive ... document for change" in the country to come as an outgrowth of The Station fire in West Warwick, R.I., on Feb. 20, 2003. The blaze claimed 100 lives and injured more than 200 others; a number of the victims were from the neighboring states of Massachusetts and Connecticut.

"Accidents will always happen. There is no simple way to prevent every loss of life," he said. "However, the real tragedy of The Station nightclub fire is that the loss of life may have been prevented with effective code enforcement, better training of nightclub staff and installation of automatic sprinklers."

Massachusetts still has no steep fines or criminal penalties for violations of fire codes. A statewide ban on pyrotechnics in all but large venues, such as the FleetCenter, was approved last month by the state Board of Fire Prevention Regulations.

The joint Public Safety Committee held a hearing today on proposed legislation based on the recommendations of a 31-member task force established by Gov. Mitt Romney after The Station fire.

The legislation would, among other measures: require sprinklers in all nightclubs with an occupancy of 50 people or more; provide discounted loans and insurance rate incentives for club owners who install the sprinklers; establish training for club employees on fire safety measures; and set up a system of enforcement and fines for violators.

Some members of the committee did not believe that version of the legislation went far enough. The committee sent a revised version to the House that would also include stiffer penalties for facilities of smaller than 50 capacity who violate capacity rules; a competitive grant program for communities to purchase fire equipment; the requirement of a safety inspection before liquor licenses are renewed; and the reauthorization of school fire safety programs.

Romney said the revised legislation, which includes key provisions from his version, was a good step forward in improving the state's fire safety laws, said spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom.

James Gahan of Falmouth, whose son, Jimmy, was killed in the fire, served on the governor's fire safety task force. He is eager to see the changes enacted.

"I won't be satisfied until there's a signing," Gahan said. "Every day that goes by ... I think we're one day closer to the next disaster until something's on the books and enforced."

DIGITAL EXTRA: Look back at The Station fire, including legislation passed in Rhode Island, at:

http://projo.com/extra/2003/stationfire/