Digital Extra: The Station Fire

Lawmakers have been criticized for acting too slowly in the aftermath of the Station nightclub fire.

01:00 AM EST on Friday, February 27, 2004

BOSTON (AP) -- More than a year after a Rhode Island nightclub fire killed 100 people, Massachusetts lawmakers moved forward yesterday 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 after the Station nightclub fire, 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 West Warwicktragedy.

"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 Boston's FleetCenter, was approved last month by the state Board of Fire Prevention Regulations.

Yesterday, the joint Public Safety Committee held a hearing on legislation that was written based on the recommendations of a 31-member task force established by Governor Romney after the Station fire.

The legislation would, among other measures: require sprinklers in all nightclubs with an occupancy of 50 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 committee members 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 with capacities under 50 who violate capacity rules; a competitive grant program for communities to purchase fire equipment; the requirement of safety inspections 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 Feb. 20, 2003, Station 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."