Hofstra remembers 1911 NYC fire victims

Hofstra University public relations students raised $400 and agreed to do pro-bono work for the Remember the Triangle Fire Coalition, an organization dedicated to honoring the victims of the 1911 New York City fire.

Students and Long Island residents gathered Wednesday in Hofstra’s Breslin Hall to learn about the 146 victims of the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in Manhattan and the subsequent fight for better working conditions.

The student-run First Class Public Relations hosted the event that included dinner and a showing of the Public Broadcasting Service’s “American Experience: Triangle Fire.”

Ruth Sergel, founder of the New York-based coalition, spoke at the event and thanked students for their work.

Sergel started the nonprofit three years ago to draw attention to the fire’s centennial on March 25 and the plan to create a memorial to honor the victims of the fire.