Remembering the Charleston 9: 17 years after deadly Sofa Super Store fire

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – It has been 17 years since nine of Charleston’s bravest were killed while responding to a large fire at a furniture store and warehouse on Savannah Highway.

A memorial dedicated to the nine men now sits on the grounds where the deadliest firefighter disaster in this country since the 9/11 attacks took place.

The call came into the Charleston Fire Department (CFD) just after 7 p.m. saying the Sofa Super Store on Savannah Highway was on fire. Several engines and ladders responded to the scene.

At the time, it wasn’t clear how the fire began – but nine firefighters went inside the store after learning someone may be inside.

There was no sprinkler system and water hose problems added to a worsening situation. Thirty minutes later, the first call of “Mayday was received.

In the end, nine firefighters would perish inside that store when a portion of the roof collapsed.

Each year on June 18, fire personnel stand watch at what is now a memorial park in the nine firefighters’ memory.

Nine plaques with each firefighter’s name sit in the exact location where their body was found. A new fire station was built just next door to honor them.

Assistant Fire Chief David Griffin was there that night and was one of the first to stand watch Tuesday night. He talked about the nine who are no longer with us.

“I usually start the watch. That has been my responsibility for the last six or seven years. I was one of the guys who was on scene here that night and I feel like it’s my responsibility to lead by example and come out and start the watch along with our fire chief and our deputy chief,” he said. “It gives me a lot of honor to be able to do that.”

A ceremony will take place beginning at 7 p.m. where the firefighter’s names will be read aloud along with a bell ringing.