Station fire victims may get money soon

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Survivors and victims' family members of the deadly Station nightclub fire may soon start to see some of the $176 million in settlement money.

A federal magistrate friday approved a proposal for distributing the money.

Under the formula, which was developed by a Duke University professor, those who were most seriously injured in the fire will get the most. However, it's not yet known how much each of the 300 plaintiffs will receive.

In his two-page order, Judge David L. Martin said there have been no objections to the distribution plan, and he saw no reason not to approve it.

The lawsuits stemmed from the deadly 2003 nightclub fire in West Warwick in which 100 people were killed, and hundreds more were injured.

Pyrotechnics, set off at the beginning of a performance by the 80s rock band Great White, ignited foam that was covering the club's walls.

Many fire survivors have expressed frustration with the delay in the distribution of settlement funds, saying medical bills and other expenses have piled up since the tragedy.