Charleston, S.C. – On June 18, 2007, nine Charleston firefighters lost their lives in a devastating fire at the Sofa Super Store in West Ashley. To honor their sacrifice, the Charleston Fire Department will begin its annual 24-hour watch at the Charleston 9 Memorial Park at midnight on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. This solemn vigil is held to remember the bravery and sacrifice of the nine firefighters who perished in the tragedy.
The Watch and Ceremony
Each year, the Charleston Fire Department stands watch at the flagpole inside the Charleston 9 Memorial Park, commemorating the lives lost and paying tribute to the courage of the fallen heroes. The 24-hour watch will begin at midnight on Wednesday and continue through to the evening, when a ceremony will be held marking the 18th anniversary of the Sofa Super Store fire.
The ceremony is open to both the community and members of the fire service, though seating is limited. Priority seating will be given to the families of the fallen firefighters and Charleston Fire Department personnel.
Parking and Livestream
Due to limited parking around the park, carpooling is strongly encouraged. The memorial parking lot will not be available, but additional parking can be found at a vacant lot off Wappoo Road near the West Ashley bikeway.
For those unable to attend in person, the Charleston Fire Department will be livestreaming the ceremony on their Facebook page, allowing the public to join in the commemoration from home.
Remembering the Nine Fallen Heroes
The tragic fire occurred on the evening of June 18, 2007, when Charleston firefighters responded to a call that an employee was trapped inside the Sofa Super Store. Although the employee was rescued after about 30 minutes, the fire quickly intensified, leading to the collapse of the front showroom and trapping the firefighters inside.
The nine brave men who lost their lives in the tragedy were:
- Firefighter Brandon Thompson
- Engineer Brad Baity
- Captain Louis Mulkey
- Engineer Mark Kelsey
- Captain Mike Benke
- Captain William Hutchinson
- Firefighter Melvin Champaign
- Assistant Engineer Michael French
- Firefighter Earl Drayton
The cause of the fire was later determined to be a pile of trash in a covered loading dock area where employees often took their smoking breaks. This area was located between the showroom and warehouse buildings.
A Legacy of Bravery and Remembrance
As the anniversary of this tragic event approaches, the Charleston community and the Charleston Fire Department continue to honor the memory of the nine firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice. The 24-hour watch and ceremony serve as a reminder of the bravery and dedication of first responders and the cost of serving and protecting the community.
