On February 20, 2003, the worst nightclub fire in Rhode Island history claimed 100 lives and injured 230. In little more than five minutes, the blaze inside The Station nightclub had ignited, spread, and engulfed the entire building. At the time, it was the second-worst fire in New England and the fourth-deadliest nightclub fire in US history.
In this program from 2018, Life and Lyrics marked the fire’s 15th anniversary with a one-hour special, The Station Nightclub: A Life and Lyrics Special honoring the victims, survivors, first responders, government officials, and volunteers.
Host Lisa Purcell sensitively captures the emotional toll this event of unprecedented magnitude had on her guests, and how music played a role in their healing. Guests include former Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcieri and his wife Sue; NBC-10 WJAR anchor Gene Valicenti; survivor and president of The Station Memorial Park 
Foundation, Gina Russo; Warwick's Kent Hospital ER surgeon Dr. Candace Dyer; former Chief Deputy Fire Marshall Mike DeMasscolo; and Dave Kane, father of the youngest fire victim, 18-year-old Nick O'Neill.
Part of the special was shot on location at The Station Memorial Park in West Warwick, the former site of the nightclub.
The Station Nightclub: A Life and Lyrics Special encores in 2020 on WSBE Rhode Island PBS 36.1 on Friday, February 7 at 8 p.m., Saturday, February 8 at noon and 11 p.m., and Sunday, February 9 at 7 p.m.; WSBE Learn on Tuesday, February 11 at 8 p.m.
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WSBE Rhode Island PBS transmits over the air on digital 36.1; on Rhode Island cable: Cox 08 / 1008HD, Verizon FiOS 08 / 508HD, and Full Channel 08; on Massachusetts cable: Comcast 819HD (check local Comcast listings for SD channels) and Verizon FiOS 18 / 518HD; on satellite: DirecTV 36, Dish Network 36.
WSBE Learn transmits over the air on digital 36.2; on RI cable: Cox 808, Verizon FiOS 478, Full Channel 89; in MA, Comcast 294 or 312.
