Judge OKs station fire settlements

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - After years of waiting, survivors and relatives of those killed in the 2003 Station nightclub fire could soon see their share of a $176 million settlement.

One hundred people were killed and 200 others were hurt in the Feb. 20, 2003 blaze. Pyrotechnics set off during a performance of the rock bank Great White ignited foam soundproofing covering the West Warwick club's walls. Within minutes, the club was engulfed in flames.

A federal judge Thursday approved settlements for the more than 300 plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed in the fire's aftermath. Calling it a "red-letter day" for the court case, Judge Ronald R. Lagueaux also signed off on a trust from which victims will be able to withdraw their settlement money.

Though no date has been set, victims could start seeing the money within months.

According to plaintiff attorney Brian Cunha, the defendants have between 60 and 90 days to put the settlement money into the trust at Citizens Bank. After that, fund administrator Paul Finn has another 60 to 90 days to begin issuing checks.

Cunha said the minimum payout is $25,000, and the maximum is in the millions. According to a report filed in federal court in November, 41 children who lost a parent in the fire and who were under the age of 18 at the time, could get about $202,000 each from the settlement.

"It's wonderful that this is finally resolved and that these poor people are going to get the compensation they need and deserve," Cunha said.

Dave Kane's 18-year-old son Nicholas O'Neill was the youngest victim of the fire. He said Thursday the settlement will help ease the burden on the families who lost their breadwinners in the fire. However, he said no amount of money will providence closure, and he feels some still need to answer for the tragedy.

"There are still many people who should have been in front of a judge," Kane said. "I'm hoping that will still happen."

Many fire survivors said they have taken out loans to pay for medical care while they waited for settlement money.