WEST WARWICK, R.I. (AP) — The site of a Rhode Island nightclub fire that killed 100 people has been removed as a stop in “Pokemon Go” after an outcry from survivors and victims’ families.
An Associated Press reporter went to the site of the 2003 fire at The Station in West Warwick on Thursday and discovered a Pokestop that was previously there was gone.
“I’m thrilled it has been removed,” said Gina Russo, head of a foundation building a memorial at the site.
Russo asked game developer Niantic earlier this week to remove the stop. She said she is especially relieved since the site is under construction and she doesn’t want anyone to get hurt.
Niantic has removed stops from other sensitive sites after complaints, including from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and Japan’s Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.
A Niantic spokesman said in a statement Thursday that the company is “moving quickly to review and address all such requests” and that property owners can request the removal of a stop by visiting the “Pokemon Go” website.