WARWICK, R.I. (AP) - A spokesman for the speaker of the Rhode Island House says he believes the state should look at seizing by eminent domain the site of a 2003 nightclub fire where 100 people were killed so a memorial can be built there.

Larry Berman, a spokesman for Speaker Gordon Fox, made the comments Tuesday to The Associated Press after Gov. Lincoln Chafee said his office is examining the legalities of seizing the site.

Families of the victims have been fighting for years to build a memorial at the site of the blaze in West Warwick, which was started by pyrotechnics for a rock band. The company that owns it has so far refused to sell or donate it.

Berman says Fox believes the site of the fire is the most appropriate location for a memorial.

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