26th anniversary marked of deadly Happy Land fire in the Bronx that left 87 dead

Today marks the 26th anniversary of a deadly club fire that left nearly 100 people dead.  Julio Gonzalez is still serving time behind bars after he was convicted of setting Happy Land social club on

News 12 Staff

Mar 25, 2016, 4:18 PM

Updated 3,119 days ago

Share:

Today marks the 26th anniversary of a deadly club fire that left nearly 100 people dead. 
Julio Gonzalez is still serving time behind bars after he was convicted of setting Happy Land social club on fire in 1990.
Police say Gonzalez set the entrance of the club on fire by pouring gasoline and lighting a match.
He was allegedly kicked out of the club after getting into a fight with an ex-girlfriend before he returned to light the fire.
Police say 87 people died in the fire after it was determined the emergency exits were blocked to prevent customers from sneaking into the club for free.