Nine Members of Fire Fighters Die in South Carolina Blaze

by Tula Connell, Jun 19, 2007

The tragedy that hit Charleston, S.C., last night when nine firefighters died battling a furniture warehouse blaze also hit our union family. All nine were members of the Fire Fighters (IAFF) union.

Says IAFF President Harold Schaitberger:

We have lost nine members of our family in this horrific fire. As firefighters, we know the risks of answering the call, but it does not lessen our pain when the worst happens.

The IAFF will be reaching out immediately to its brothers and sisters in South Carolina and Local 61 to provide assistance.

The fire broke out about 7 p.m. on June 18 in the Sofa Super Store and warehouse. Witnesses said the store’s roof collapsed, throwing debris over about two dozen rescue workers.

The nine fire officers and firefighters have been identified as Capt. William “Billy” Hutchinson, 48; Capt. Theodore M. “Mike” Benke, 49; Capt. Louis Mulkey, 34; engineer Mark Kelsey, 40; engineer Rodney Bradford “Brad” Baity, 37; assistant engineer Michael French, 27; firefighter James “Earl” Drayton, 56; firefighter Brandon Thompson, 27; and firefighter Melven Champaign, 46.

Baity was treasurer of Charleston Local 61.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. The IAFF will continue to update this story as information becomes available.

More coverage here:

• Nine ‘Courageous Firefighters’ Die in Warehouse Blaze (CNN)
• Charleston Deaths Highest Firefighter Death Toll Since Sept. 11 Attacks (CBS2 News)
• S.C. Warehouse Fire Kills 9 Firefighters (ABC News)
• ‘Tornado of Flames’ Kills Nine Firefighters (CNN).
• Nine US Firefighters Killed in Warehouse Blaze (Reuters)
• Blaze Kills 9 Firefighters in South Carolina (NPR)

Links to video:

• Furniture Store Fire: Eyewitness Video (NBC, Charleston)
• Nine Firefighters Killed in West Ashley Fire (Live 5 News)
• Tornado of Flames Kills 9 Firefighters (CNN)

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