PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- A legislative committee approved a ban on pyrotechnics in nightclubs Tuesday, an expansion of safety measures intended to prevent a repeat of the concert fire that killed 99 people.
``With the tragedy at hand ... it's important people see things are getting done,'' said Rep. Norman Landroche Jr., a co-sponsor of the bill and one of the first firefighters to respond to the Feb. 20 fire at The Station nightclub.
The bill, passed unanimously by the Corporations Committee, would ban pyrotechnics in places licensed to serve liquor that have a capacity of up to 1,000 people, and would eliminate an exemption that has allowed older venues like The Station to operate without installing sprinklers.
Investigators believe The Station fire was sparked by a band's pyrotechnics, and could have been less severe if sprinklers had been installed.
The bill, which requires House and Senate approval, also would increase fire marshals' authority and make the illegal use of pyrotechnics a felony punishable by up to five years in prison.
Supporters said the bill is intended to complement the work being done by a state commission formed to investigate the fire and determine whether state fire and building codes need to be stiffened. That commission's report is expected in June.
