Right here at the Sofa Super Store Fire Memorial, we remember a tragic event. It is a place of reflection. This memorial stands on the very ground where the Charleston Sofa Super Store once stood.
On June 18, 2007, a fire broke out at the Sofa Super Store. Nine Charleston firefighters lost their lives battling the blaze. It was the deadliest firefighter disaster in the U.S. since the September 11 attacks.
The fire started in the loading dock area. It quickly spread to the showroom and warehouse. The building, lacking a sprinkler system, was consumed. A structural collapse trapped many firefighters.
The Charleston Fire Department arrived within minutes of the alarm. They tried to extinguish the fire and rescue those inside. But the fire grew too quickly. At 7:41 p.m., a flashover occurred in the showroom. The roof collapsed soon after.
Nine firefighters were killed by smoke inhalation and burns. Their names were Louis Mulkey, Mike Benke, Melvin Champaign, William Hutchinson, Bradford Baity, James Drayton, Mark Kelsey, Michael French and Brandon Thompson.
The Sofa Super Store site was on a busy highway. Traffic hampered efforts to get water to the scene. Hoses were run over. Water supply became a severe problem.
Investigators later determined the fire started in a pile of trash near a smoking area. The lack of sprinklers contributed to the disaster. The Charleston Fire Department’s procedures were also scrutinized.
In the aftermath, the city of Charleston acquired the property. They created this memorial park. It is a tribute to the Charleston Nine.
The Charleston Firefighter Memorial features a flagpole. Memorial stones bear the names of the fallen. Statues and plaques tell their story. This park is a place for the community to remember their sacrifice.
The Charleston Nine are also honored in other ways. A stretch of U.S. Route 17 is named the Charleston Nine Memorial Highway. The Charleston Nine Scholarship Endowment helps first responders and their families.
Memorials are held annually to remember the Charleston Sofa Super Store fire. These events honor the lives lost and the bravery of the Charleston Fire Department. The IAFF also remembers the Charleston 9 at their annual fallen firefighter memorial.
Take a moment here at the Sofa Super Store Fire Memorial to reflect on the events of that day. Remember the courage and sacrifice of the Charleston Nine. Their memory lives on in this hallowed ground.