9 firefighters die in blaze

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Fire swept through a furniture warehouse, collapsing its roof and killing nine firefighters inside — the nation’s deadliest single disaster for firefighters since the September 11 terrorist attacks.

“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 press conference. “To all of their loved ones, our heart goes out to them.”

Two employees in the building were rescued from the blaze, which broke out at 7 p.m. Monday in the Sofa Super Store and warehouse, Mr. Riley said. One was rescued quickly, and firefighters punched a hole through a wall of the warehouse to reach the other.

Firefighters, police officers and other rescue workers saluted as the firefighters’ bodies were carried from the warehouse during the night.

“To lose nine is just a tragedy of immense proportions,” the mayor said. “To lose nine is just unbelievable.”

The department has 237 firefighters in 19 companies located throughout the city of about 106,000.

The cause of the fire was under investigation but Mr. Riley said arson was not suspected. He said the blaze apparently started in a storage area. He was unsure whether there were sprinklers in the building.

Fire Chief Rusty Thomas said he lost nine of his best friends.

“They did exactly what they were trained to do,” he said. “We’ve 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.”

Response to the September 11 attacks killed 340 firefighters, two paramedics and a chaplain, according to the National Fire Protection Association. The fire was also South Carolina’s deadliest since a 1979 blaze killed 11 persons in the Lancaster County jail.

“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.

Officials identified the victims yesterday as Capt. William “Billy” Hutchinson, 48; Capt. Mike Benke, 49; Capt. Louis Mulkey, 34; Engineer Mark Kelsey, 40; Engineer Bradford “Brad” Baity, 37; Assistant Engineer Michael French, 27; Firefighter James “Earl” Drayton, 56; Firefighter Brandon Thompson, 27, and Firefighter Melven Champaign, 46.

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.

Mr. Shahid said he saw firefighters rescue four persons from the building.

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