It was 40-years ago today that 37 young people died in the Blue Bird Cafe fire.

On September 1st, 1972 the Wagon Wheel club, located just above the cafe, was filled with about 200 people on a Friday night when three drunk men, upset over being denied entry, set fire to a staircase leading to the club.

Many of those who get out died of smoke inhalation.

Following a memorial mass Friday at the Mary Queen of the World Cathedral and Montreal Mayor Gerald Tremblay helped unveil a commemorative stone in Phillips Square, near the scene of the tragedy.

The memorial is inscribed with the names of the 37 victims.