BEVERLY — More than a quarter of a century later, the 15 people who died in the Elliott Chambers rooming house fire will finally be honored.
The dedication of the Elliott Chambers Fire Memorial is scheduled for 6 tonight outside the CVS Pharmacy at the corner of Rantoul and Elliott streets.
The memorial was established by Beverly residents John Burke, Amanda Mazzaglia and James Maroney. Burke and Maroney had been working on a documentary about the July 4, 1984, fire and its victims. When the former rooming house was set to be torn down to make way for the new CVS last year, Mazzaglia wrote a letter to city councilors suggesting a memorial.
"Neither of us have any relatives who died in the fire but we've lived in Beverly our whole lives and we always felt there was never the recognition due those people, perhaps because of their lack of high social status," said Burke, a former city councilor. "When Amanda brought up the memorial we said, 'There's interest in the community for this.'"
The memorial features a plaque on a large stone listing the names of the 15 victims. Burke said money for the memorial was raised through small private donations and contributions from Century Bank, Cummings Center and Abate Monuments. The foundation is still accepting donations to cover the cost of the memorial and for upkeep of the landscaped area.
Tonight's ceremony will include remarks by relatives and friends of some of the victims, as well as by Beverly fire Chief Paul Cotter and fire Capt. James Maggiacomo. The Elliott Chambers fire is credited with leading to laws requiring sprinklers in rooming houses with six or more people.
James Carver was convicted of arson and second-degree murder for setting the fire and is serving back-to-back life sentences in prison.
The ceremony will also feature a performance of the song "Elliott Chambers 15" by local musician Satch Kerans, and "Amazing Grace" by John Archer.
Staff writer Paul Leighton can be reached at 978-338-2675 or by e-mail at pleighton@salemnews.com.
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Video of Ga. Man Who Killed Girl Released
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
