A deadly fire at The Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island, on February 20, 2003, resulted in 100 fatalities and over 200 injuries, making it one of the deadliest nightclub fires in U.S. history.
The blaze was triggered by pyrotechnics used during a performance by the band Great White, which ignited flammable polyurethane foam insulation on the walls and ceiling.
The fire spread rapidly, engulfing the wooden structure within minutes, and victims were primarily overcome by smoke and heat, with many trapped near the main entrance due to crowding and inadequate egress.
The fire began just after 11:00 p.m. EST when pyrotechnics, known as gerbs, were ignited on stage, sparking a fast-moving inferno that consumed the building in under five minutes.