Family and friends of the 87 victims of the Happy Land Social Club fire gathered at the memorial on Southern Boulevard Friday night.

The fire that took place 26 years ago is the second-largest mass murder in U.S. history.

Police say that on the night of March 25, 1990, Julio Gonzalez had been kicked out of the club after starting a fight with his girlfriend. Gonzalez returned with gasoline, poured it onto the only entrance, ignited the fire and then closed the gate to the entrance.

Gonzalez was later convicted of 174 counts of murder, 2 counts for each of the 87 victims and is now serving a life sentence in a prison upstate.

With March being Fire Prevention Month, Community Board 6 is requesting that the FDNY check all local bars and clubs to make sure they have sprinklers that work properly and clear exits.