37 years ago, the country was left devastated following the horrifying Stardust fire. The tragic event claimed the lives of 48 people when a fire broke out at the Stardust nightclub, in Artane, Dublin.
Hundreds of people headed to the disco to celebrate the day of love, but what was supposed to be a heart-warming occasion, ended in devastation.
A fire engulfed the venue, with over 800 people in attendance, panic quickly broke out. The fire, which started in a first-floor storage room, quickly spread throughout the building.
Support to the survivors and victims of the Stardust fire outside Leinster House today. 37 years and still fighting for justice pic.twitter.com/Rgrk51tfoF
— Denise Mitchell TD (@DMitchellTD) February 14, 2018
When staff failed to put out the fire, the DJ asked the attendees to calmly evacuate the building, but the patrons began to panic after the lights failed.
They struggled to find a way to escape because several of the main fire exits had been locked, making it impossible to open the emergency escape routes.
A vigil has taken place outside the Dáil to remember the 48 people who died in the #Stardust fire in #Artane 37 years ago today pic.twitter.com/cewdipxgJW
— Emma Ní Riain (@EmmaNiRiain) February 14, 2018
Emergency services fled to the scene of the incident, including ambulances from Dublin Fire Brigade, the Eastern Health Board, Dublin Civil Defence, the Red Cross, the Order of Malta Ambulance Corps and St John Ambulance Ireland.
Unfortunately, 48 lives were claimed by the fire at the Stardust fire, with 214 people injured. The fire left the country, especially the community of Artane, in a state of shock.
We're pausing to remember the tragic #Stardust fire 37 yrs ago tonight. Our thoughts are with the families, friends & community #Dublin pic.twitter.com/AEkrEDvz6I
— Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) February 13, 2018
37 years on from that heart-wrenching day, the country mourns the people we lost, the injured, the survivors and the families who were affected by the Stardust fire.
Today, we may celebrate the day of love, but we also look back on that day in 1981 full of sorrow and disillusion.
48 candles lit at St. Joseph's Church in Coolock to remember each victim of the Stardust fire ahead of the 37th anniversary of the disaster. @3NewsIreland pic.twitter.com/ddxC5XPu3a
— Kevin Purcell (@KevinPurcell_) February 11, 2018
In honour of the Stardust anniversary, the Dublin Fire Brigade took a moment to remember the victims, “We're pausing to remember the tragic #Stardust fire 37 yrs ago tonight. Our thoughts are with the families, friends & community #Dublin,” they tweeted.
A vigil will be held on the Stardust Nightclub site at 6.30pm this evening, following a protest at the gates of Dáil Éireann this afternoon.