Film to remember Station Fire tragedy

WEST WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) - A local woman, given her last rites almost a decade ago, is one of the inspirations behind a documentary to remember what many consider the worst night in Rhode Island history.

Monday, February 20, marks 9 years since The Station Fire killed 100 people and injured dozens of others, including Gina Russo.

“We’re screaming at the bouncer, there’s a fire, open the doors!” Russo said, remembering the night she went to the West Warwick club with her fiance Freddie Crisostomi. “And Freddie just grabbed me and said we can't argue with this man . We have to get out of here."

Local filmmaker David Bettencourt is directing the documentary based on Russo’s book, From The Ashes . Bettencourt’s credits include You Must Be This Tall , a documentary about Rocky Point. He was motivated to take on this project by a friend of his who survived the tragedy.

“She said that if I didn't do it, someone else would. And that it could be someone that wasn't from Rhode Island. It could be someone who didn't have an emotional connection to it. She told me I had to do it. I had no choice."

Bettencourt and his team from Mediapeel have interviewed about a dozen people for the film so far. He wants to tell individual stories that will be linked together by the ‘bigger picture’.

“Story after story that are just touching. Some are heart wrenching.  But others? There's some real hope.”

Eyewitness News video captured Russo and Crisostomi near the stage, minutes before the pyrotechnics. Crisostomi helped Russo escape but his name is one of the hundred on the field of crosses where the club used to stand.

Russo's lungs were seared in what she describes in the book as black rain but her will and strength are what you notice now.

“She was badly burned, wears a wig. But she moves on from it. It's just a very powerful story,” Bettencourt said.

The filmmakers are tracking down dozens of stories and hope to show you the tragedy from every possible angle, from Great White's Jack Russell to the club owners.

“The Derderians,” Bettencourt said, the wheels of his brain churning. “I'm interested in talking to them. I think that's one of my dream interviews."

The facts you know will provide the drama but Bettencourt wants his film to clarify misconceptions about what we don't know about February 20, 2003.

“This should never happen again and by putting this out there, I hope that's the outcome. That people never forget."

The plan is to release the film on February 20 of next year, which will mark 10 years since the tragedy.

You can check on the movie's progress on its website , Facebook page and on Twitter .