Owner Of Burned R.I. Club Donates Land For Memorial

September 28, 2012

The Associated Press

Investigators survey the site of The Station nightclub fire in West Warwick, R.I., in February 2003. (AP)

The owner of the site of a 2003 Rhode Island nightclub fire that killed 100 people has donated the land so a permanent memorial can be built.

The announcement brings an end to a years-long effort to secure the site of The Station fire by families of those killed.

A lawyer for property owner Ray Villanova filed papers at West Warwick Town Hall on Friday morning that transfer the land to the Station Fire Memorial Foundation.

Foundation president and fire survivor Gina Russo told The Associated Press she is grateful and excited that the memorial can now move forward.

Victoria Eagan, a fire survivor who serves on the foundation's board, called the news a milestone.

The foundation hopes to break ground on the memorial before the 10th anniversary of the fire on Feb. 20.

Here & Now: A Look At The Events Behind The Station Night Club Fire

This program aired on September 28, 2012. The audio for this program is not available.