Charleston Fire Department marks 18 years since 9 firefighters killed in Sofa Super Store fire

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – It has been 18 years since nine of Charleston’s bravest lost their lives while battling a massive fire at a West Ashley furniture store and warehouse.

For 24 hours, Charleston fire personnel will stand watch at the flagpole inside Charleston 9 Memorial Park as they remember the fallen firefighters.

Each year, the department holds a ceremony at the Charleston 9 Memorial Park (1807 Savannah Highway), which was constructed on the grounds where the Sofa Super Store and warehouse were located, to honor the fallen.

The ceremony is open to the community and members of the fire service. There is limited seating, and priority is given to families of the fallen and members of the Charleston Fire Department.

It was the evening of June 18^th, 2007, when the fire alarms sounded. Black smoke was seen pouring from the furniture store and warehouse, and as firefighters began to battle the flames. Then, firefighters received a call from an employee who was still trapped inside the building.

Firefighters rushed inside and rescued the employee roughly 30 minutes later, but fire quickly consumed the building once that worker was freed.

Still inside, some of the firefighters sent out a “mayday” call. They had lost communication; some became lost inside the burning building.

The fire eventually caused the building’s front showroom to collapse, and nine firefighters lost their lives.

“Tonight… a great and heroic tragedy has befallen our community. Brave members of the City of Charleston Fire Department, fighting this massive blaze in a store filled with fuel, among the most combustible of fuel, a sofa store. This massive fire has produced several City of Charleston firefighters who are now missing,” said then-Charleston Mayor Joe Riley as he addressed the community that night.

The following day, each fallen firefighter was carried out of the store one by one by their brothers.

Those lost included Firefighter Brandon Thompson, Engineer Brad Baity, Captain Louis Mulkey, Engineer Mark Kelsey, Captain Mike Benke, Captain William Hutchinson, Firefighter Melvin Champaign, Assistant Engineer Michael French, and Firefighter Earl Drayton.

It was later determined through an investigation that the fire originated in a pile of trash where employees often took smoking breaks in a covered loading dock area between the showroom and warehouse buildings.

Wednesday night’s ceremony is open to the community and members of the fire service. There is limited seating, and priority is given to families of the fallen and members of the Charleston Fire Department.

Parking will be limited around the park, and carpooling is encouraged. Space will not be available at the memorial’s parking lot. There is limited parking available at the vacant lot off Wappoo Road near the West Ashley bikeway.

Those who cannot attend the event can watch a livestream on the Charleston Fire Department’s Facebook page.