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California

Nightclub victims' kin: Oakland fire families face long road

Associated Press
Published | Updated
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    FILE - In this Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013, file photo Jessica Garvey, of Woonsocket, R.I., front, steadies a cross at the site of the deadly fire at The Station nightclub during the 10th anniversary in West Warwick, R.I. Relatives of those killed in a 2003 nightclub fire that claimed 100 lives in Rhode Island said they see troubling parallels with the warehouse party fire in Oakland, Calif. As a criminal investigation unfolds, they're warning of a long legal road ahead. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File) (The Associated Press)

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    FILE - In this Friday, Feb. 28, 2003, file photo investigators continue to sift through the charred wreckage of The Station nightclub in West Warwick, R.I., after a deadly fire eight days earlier. Relatives of those killed in a 2003 nightclub fire that claimed 100 lives in Rhode Island said they see troubling parallels with the warehouse party fire in Oakland, Calif. As a criminal investigation unfolds, they're warning of a long legal road ahead. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File) (The Associated Press)

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    FILE - In this Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013, file photo burn survivors of The Station nightclub fire Deb Wagner, of West Warwick, R.I., left, and Linda Fisher, of Chepachet, R.I., center, support one another as former R.I. Gov. Donald Carcieri, right, looks down during anniversary ceremonies on the site of the fire in West Warwick. Relatives of those killed in a 2003 nightclub fire that claimed 100 lives in Rhode Island said they see troubling parallels with a warehouse party fire in Oakland, Calif. As a criminal investigation unfolds, they're warning of a long legal road ahead. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File) (The Associated Press)

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Authorities investigating the California warehouse party fire that killed 36 people have said they are considering a criminal case — even murder charges. But as relatives learned after a nightclub fire killed 100 people in Rhode Island, any prosecution would be a long and complicated road that may not end with a feeling of justice.

Relatives of those killed and lawyers involved in the 2003 case say they see troubling parallels with the Oakland fire.

In both, there was an alleged lack of proper permits and safety measures, as well as loads of flammable material awaiting a spark. There are also suggestions local officials didn't do enough.

Three people ultimately pleaded to involuntary manslaughter charges in Rhode Island, but the relatives say they never felt they got justice.