Happyland Fire
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The Happyland Fire killed 87 people trapped in an unlicensed night club in New York City, USA on March 25 1990.
An unemployed Cuban refugee, Julio Gonzalez, argued with his girlfriend and was ejected by the bouncer. He was heard to scream drunken threats. He returned to the establishment with a plastic container of gasoline which he spread on the only staircase into the club.
The fire exits had been blocked to prevent people from entering without paying the cover charge. In the panic that ensued, several people did in fact escape by breaking a metal gate over one door.
A total of 87 people were killed. Most of the victims were ethnic Hondurans celebrating Carnival.
Gonzales returned home, took off his gasoline-soaked clothes and fell asleep. He was arrested a few hours later. He was advised of his rights and talked freely of how he caused the fire. A medical examination found him to be sane.
Found guilty on August 19 1991 of 87 counts of arson and 87 counts of murder, he was sentenced to 174 twenty-five year sentences, to be served concurrently. It was the longest prison term ever imposed in the state of New York. He will be eligible for parole in March 2015.
The building that housed Happyland was owned in part by Jay Weiss, husband of actress Kathleen Turner. New York Magazine quoted Turner saying, "the fire was unfortunate but could have happened at a McDonald's."