9 Firefighters Perish In Charleston Blaze
Firemen Killed Fighting Furniture Store Fire; Deadliest Disaster For Firefighters Since 9/11
-
Play CBS Video
Video
Charleston Reels After Fire
Charleston, S.C., is mourning the loss of nine firefighters killed in a violent furniture store blaze. Kelly Cobiella reports that authorities aren't sure what caused the building to ignite.
-
Video
Training To Fight Fire
Firefighters must learn to face numerous risks if they are to do their jobs as safely and effectively as possible, and every fire provides new lessons. John Blackstone reports.
-
Video
'Tornado Of Flames' Kills 9
Nine firefighters were killed after a deadly fire erupted at a furniture store in Charleston, S.C. Witnesses described the 30-foot blaze as a "tornado of flames." Claire Leka reports.
-
-
Photo
A firefighter takes a moment after helping to put out the fire that claimed the lives of nine firefighters at the Sofa Super Store in Charleston, S.C., on June 19, 2007. (AP Photo/Alice Keeney)
-
Photo
Witnesses said the store's roof collapsed, throwing debris over about two dozen rescue workers. Onlookers were hit with flying ash. (AP Photo/Alice Keeney)
-
Photo
Firefighters from Charleston, S.C., embrace in front of the rubble of the Sofa Super Store on June 19, 2007, in Charleston, S.C., after a fire in the store claimed the lives of nine firefighters. (AP Photo/Stephen Morton)
-
Photo
An aerial view of the remains of the Sofa Super store in Charleston, S.C., on June 19, 2007. Nine firefighters lost their lives fighting a blaze at the store on Monday. (AP)
-
Photo
Charleston Fire Department Chief Rusty Thomas embraces a colleague on June 19, 2007, after a news conference at which officials announced the names of the nine firefighters who died in the Sofa Super Store fire on Monday. (AP)
-
-
Photo Essay
Tragic Charleston Blaze
Fire sweeps through warehouse, roof collapses, kills nine firefighters.
-
Interactive
FIRE!
A look at major fires and their victims, arson facts, and those who fight the flames.
"Nine brave, heroic, courageous firefighters of the city of Charleston have perished fighting fire in a most courageous and fearless manner, carrying out their duties," Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley said at a morning news conference on Tuesday. "To all of their loved ones, our heart goes out to them."
Witnesses could still see firefighters among the burning lamps and tables inside the Sofa Super Store, reports CBS News correspondent Kelly Cobiella. Outside, firefighters were smashing in windows when the glass began to blow out on its own from the intense heat and pressure. Ten minutes later, the roof came down and a tower of flames shot up more than 100 feet in the air.
Two employees in the building were rescued from the blaze, which broke out at about 7 p.m. Remarkably, at least seven firefighters made it out alive, too.
Firefighters, police officers and other rescue workers saluted as the firefighters' bodies were carried from the warehouse during the night.
"These firefighters were true heroes who demonstrated great skill and courage. Their unwavering commitment to their neighbors and to the City of Charleston is an inspiration to all Americans," President Bush said in a statement issued in Washington.
The department has 237 firefighters in 19 companies located throughout the city of about 106,000. Fire Chief Rusty Thomas said he lost nine of his best friends.
"They did exactly what they were trained to do," he said. "We got a long road ahead of us, but we're going to stand tall. ... We're going to stand tall now and for years to come with the families and we will never forget; just like 9-11, we will never forget."
Investigators are still sifting through the ash, reports Cobiella. It was an older building and had no fire sprinkler system. The fire chief says sprinklers would have helped slow the fire but wouldn't say whether they could have saved lives.
Charleston Fire and Rescue Lt. Chad Watson told CBS' The Early Show the store lacked a sprinkler system and that "it was just a matter of time" before the building collapsed from the heat of the fire.
On Tuesday, officials identified the firefighters, men who had worked for the department anywhere from 18 months to 30 years. Killed were:
The fire was the worst single incident to claim firefighters' lives since the Sept. 11 attacks, which killed 340 firefighters, two paramedics and a chaplain, according to the National Fire Protection Association. It was the deadliest fire in South Carolina since a 1979 blaze killed 11 people in the Lancaster County jail.
"It was like a 30-foot tornado of flames," said Mark Hilton, who was struck in his eye.
Eric Glover told CNN that he and a number of other firefighters were at a golf tournament to benefit the family of a firefighter who had recently died when they heard the call come over their department radios. By the time he arrived, he said, the roof had already collapsed.
"It all happened pretty fast. They didn't really have a chance," Glover said.
"You're always close to the guys because you spend a third of your life with these guys. Every third day you spend 24 hours there, so you get real close," he said.
Firefighters went to a nearby car dealership asking for towels and quickly got additional help, said salesman Daniel Shahid.
"The next thing you know, we were carrying hoses, directing traffic, everybody from the dealership," he said.
Shahid said he saw firefighters rescue four people from the building.
"They were struggling. They were covered in black soot. They looked scared out of their minds," Shahid said.
He later told CNN the roof collapsed too quickly for anyone to escape.
"It came from nowhere," he said. "It was a standing structure and five seconds later it was on the ground."
Riley called the firefighters heroes.
"This is a profession that we must never take for granted," the mayor said. "There's a fire raging and they go toward it."
Gov. Mark Sanford ordered state flags lowered to half staff. "These are truly some of South Carolina's bravest, who in this case made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty," he said.
Store owner Herb Goldstein said in a statement there were no words to express his sorrow.
"All of us at Sofa Super Store are devastated and heartbroken by this tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of the heroic firefighters who lost their lives," he said.
He had owned the store for about 15 years, said his son, Jeff Goldstein.
In a small plaza next to the city's main fire house, notes and flowers were left at the base of a monument to firefighters Tuesday.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you and your families. We are deeply saddened and want you all to know that we value your bravery and thank you for putting your lives on the line to keep us all safe. God bless you all," read one note.
The buildings are located on what residents here refer to as the "auto mile," a commercial strip of car dealers, body shops and stereo installers.
Update: A previous version of this story contained information from "The Early Show" in which CBS affiliate WCSC-TV correspondent Amanda Fitzpatrick reported residents had told her three residences near the warehouse had burned; it was later determined only the warehouse was affected.
© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
- 1
- 2
- next
See all 74 CommentsMy condolences to each firefighter's family, friends, and colleagues. May they find some measure of peace in knowing there is a special place in the heavens for such brave and selfless souls.
Peace
Bless the families of these men.
I agree with the other posters, firefighters are Angels...they go running into places the rest of us run away from. And they pay a heavy price for doing what they do.
Why were these men in this deathtrap? My husband is a firefighter, and he said once they got the employees out, this was a "surround and drown" situation. You never risk lives to save inventory.
God bless these men and their families. I would like to know if they were in an open warehouse waiting for the roof to drop onto a concrete floor at the orders of their brass. If so, shame on the person who ordered these men into this situation.
Posted by MelCarnahan
Since I don't know your source, it is hard to refute; however, Homeland Security provides grants to fire departments for the purchase of equipment - including fire trucks.
Even if what you say is true ( I think it is not) If the firemen had one more axe, fire hose, or even another firetruck would it have made a difference for these nine brave men? I ask you to read my other posts before responding.
I know several police officers as well.
The fire was so hot you could feel the heat well over 100 Ft away.
There is a Self Serve GASOLINE station RIGHT BESIDE THE STORE. It never caught fire. If it had, several city blocks could have went. This is a commercial area with private residences RIGHT BEHIND THE STORE. It could have been much worse.
This will be remembered as Charleston's 911. Locals are already using the phrase.
Google Maps coordinates for the store are:32 Degrees 47'15.94N 80 Degrees 01' 19.55"W
The tree covered buildings behind the store are private homes. The Gas station is the long rectangular building (Awning)at the intersection of the two adjacent roads.
Heros? What's the next two steps up?
CHSReb
You seem to be in the know, so what is the reason nine firemen were in an inferno when all the people had already been taken to safety? This seems like an upper command mistake to me.
Posted by craash1 at 12:25 PM : Jun 19, 2007
I did express a kind word, prayer and thought. Read below:
"Charleston fire and rescue Lt. Chad Watson told CBS' The Early Show the store lacked a sprinkler system and that "it was just a matter of time" before the building collapsed from the heat of the fire."
"Why were these men in this deathtrap? My husband is a firefighter, and he said once they got the employees out, this was a "surround and drown" situation. You never risk lives to save inventory.
God bless these men and their families. I would like to know if they were in an open warehouse waiting for the roof to drop onto a concrete floor at the orders of their brass. If so, shame on the person who ordered these men into this situation."
Posted by barbaraf4 at 12:06 PM : Jun 19, 2007
I pray for all the famlies and friends affected and for the fire departments that helped in this tradegdy.
Posted by thgdriver at 12:38 PM : Jun 19, 2007
My husband says whoever was in charge didn't know what they were doing. Considering the close proximity to the gas station, they are lucky they didn't lose the whole city block. We may never know who failed to call the men out of the warehouse (they wear signal divices that tell them it's time to get out). I'll bet the person who gave the order to go in and then failed to give the order to get out knows who he is. Firefighters are such close-knit communities, that I would expect this person to eventually take their own life out of grief. Another casualty of a horrible situation.
Gasoline auto ignites at around 500F. With cars in the parking lot and a large source of gasoline about 100 ft away, how would you react? I've talked to police officers on the scene who said the heat was almost unbearable on your face 200 ft. away.
The details will come out over time. On scene command obviously didn't anticipate a roof collapse. (Neither did the NYPD and Fire Department, remember?) The fact it did so unexpectly says how hot the fire was burning. The annex on the back is the furniture storage warehouse. Homes are behind that. Somebody had to make a decision. It cost 9 brave souls there lives, but I can't second guess him yet.
I work with firefighters on occasion being a local facilities engineer for a large office building. I'll find out as soon as the investigation is finished.
CHSReb
Aiken, S.C.
John King
Charleston, SC
God bless those firemen and their families and especially fire fighters all over the world. To the firemen of this tragedy,know that america is praying for you and the lost lives today.
God Bless You ALL
I love these idiots who ramble about our "Freedoms".What Freedoms?
Posted by fascistusa at 03:22 PM : Jun 19, 2007
Well, fascistusa, maybe just this once, you could hold your tongue and let these people mourn in peace? There is a time and place for your platform, this is not it. I can only hope that if you ever needed the services of those "feds" you'd show more respect.
God bless these men and their families!
"Why must we as people immediately begin to point fingers and assign blame in such a tragic time."
I'll tell you why. We not only do these nine brave men a disservice by not asking the tough questions of the people in commend, but we also do a larger disservice to the firemen and women that are at a fire tomorrow. I ask that you read all my comments on this issue before responding.
You never know what life has in store for you, whether it be a car accident, fire, or some other mishap but at some point or another it happens to everyone....you included...is that what you're going to say when your time of need comes or that of a loved one? You'll probably be the one crying.....lol
9 dead first responders is really sad, but let's not lose sight of Bu$h horrors even for a minute.
I know what your agenda is, and you have a right to your opinion, I just think you comments belong over on one of the political story's and not here. But keep them coming if you want to. I need a laugh after reading about the nine firemen.
I love these idiots who ramble about our "Freedoms".What Freedoms?
Posted by fascistusa at 03:22 PM : Jun 19, 2007
I hope and pray that someday, and sooner rather than later, you drop dead...violently. Then I will cheer that another piece of internet trolling garbage is gone. Ah, that is FREEDOM.
PLEASE.. no more remarks about my heros. My brother lost six partners and friends from his ladder yesterday.
To the person that said "Oh well, more dead feds"
You are an IDIOT.!. Let these men and the families of the lost grieve in peace.
Maybe your house will catch on fire and I certainly hope a fireman doesn't lose his life trying to save you.
PS. I am anti-war as well. Don't go there!
Fascism is an authoritarian political ideology (generally tied to a mass movement) that considers individual and other societal interests subordinate to the needs of the state, and seeks to forge a type of national unity, usually based on, but not limited to, ethnic, cultural, or racial attributes.
Yo - Dumb A$$ - fascism is an increase in Federal Employees! How can you possibly cheer the demise of Feds? Besides, Dumb A$$, those brave men were CITY EMPLOYEES.
So you got something to say about our current President. Cool, say it! But don't you DARE slime the heroism of the nine who were lost trying to save civilians like your Dumb A$$
I'm more than willing to discuss the failures of the Administration, But you are totally out of line on this one!
Where can I go to a) buy a T shirt, b) donate to the families, c) provide a modicum of support to you, your brother, and the families who have made the ultimate sacrifice to the protection of our communities?
- 1
- 2
- next
See all 74 Comments