VIDEO: Nearly 200 people came to Southgate, Kentucky, on Sunday to pay their respects after two decades of pushing for a permanent memorial to those who died in the Beverly Hills Supper Club fire in May 1977.
On the night of the fire, 50 fire departments and more than 550 firefighters were called to the scene.
“I think I can speak for the firefighters who were there when I say that May 28, 1977, was the worst day of our firefighting career, but I believe it was our finest hour,” said Southgate Fire Department Chief John Beatsch.
David Brock and Wayne Dammert were two young employees at the supper club that night. ”There’s smoke coming out around the corner. Ok, there is a fire. Get out of here. Everybody get out. Get out the back,” Dammert recalled.
The man credited with sounding the initial alarm of fire was Walter Bailey, a 17-year-old busboy at the time.