Mayor Eric Adams Speaks at the 33rd Annual Happyland Fire Memorial Ceremony

Mayor Eric Adams Speaks at the 33rd Annual Happyland Fire Memorial Ceremony

By Robert Press

It was a slow rain for the 33rd Annual Happyland Fire Memorial Ceremony across the street from where the fire happened on March 25, 1990. A memorial tower stands in a park with the names of the eighty-seven victims of the fire that was set by a man who was kicked out of the basement social club after an argument with an ex-girlfriend. 

Community residents coming from a special mass were met at the Happyland Memorial by New York City Mayor Eric Adams who joined in the ceremony. Community Board 6 District manager Rafael Moure-Punnett introduced those who spoke which included Mayor Adams. In his words Mayor Adams recalled being a police officer and hearing a call for emergency responders to the fire which killed eighty-seven people and injured six more. The mayor added that while fire standards have improved there are still other fires that are killing many people such as the Twin Parks fire in January of 2022 and the current rash of E-bike battery fires.

Former Community Board 6 District Manager Ivene Galanza spoke, as did the CB 6 Parks Committee Chair Margarita Espinosa, Former Bronx Parks Commissioner now Citywide Deputy Commissioner Iris Rosa Rodriguez, and the CB 6 District Manager. Only a few of the relatives of those who perished in the Happyland fire were in attendance as most have moved out of the area or have passed on themselves. 

Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson would arrive to replace Mayor Adams who was traveling to another event.

The site of the March 25, 1990 Happyland Fire across the street from the memorial at the corner of Southern Boulevard and East Tremont Avenue.