Nine S.C. Firefighters Perish in Warehouse Fire

Arson is not suspected as the cause of the fire.

Salem-News.com

(CHARLESTON, S.C.) - Nine firefighters died Monday night in a fire that destroyed the Sofa Super Store in West Ashley in Charleston, South Carolina.

Two employees in the building were rescued from the blaze, which broke out at about 7:00 PM Monday. Firefighters punched a hole through a wall of the warehouse to reach them.

"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 Joe Riley said at a news conference this morning. "To all of their loved ones, our heart goes out to them."

This morning, South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford ordered that flags be lowered to half-staff on state buildings in honor of the nine firefighters killed battling a furniture store fire Monday night.

The fire caused the roofs of the business to collapse and the site burned to the ground.

Riley said that in his time as mayor, to his knowledge, the city has not lost a firefighter in the line of duty.

"To lose nine is just a tragedy of immense proportions," Riley said. "To lose nine is just unbelievable."

No arson is suspected, Riley said, but the State Law Enforcement Division and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are investigating.

The firefighters' identities and the stations from which they came have not been released.

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 scanners. By the time he arrived, he said, the roof had already collapsed.