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Charleston 9 - Sofa Super Store Tragedy

The date of June 18, 2007 will forever be embedded in our hearts and minds. It is on this date that nine Firefighters died in Charleston while they fought a raging fire at the Sofa Super Store on Savannah Highway.

The Chaplaincy was notified by four agencies that a fire was ongoing at the Sofa Super Store, and one firefighter was feared missing. Our Chaplains immediately arrived to assist at the scene, and upon arrival, the unbelievably sad word arrived that nine firefighters were missing, and were later found dead. Chief Rusty Thomas requested that Chaplain Dewey pray over each body as they were brought out and carried through the lines of emergency personnel honoring their fallen comrades/heroes/saints. Several Chaplains rode with police officers to bring relatives back to a firehouse where all families were gathering.

In The days after the fire, we (the Chaplaincy) began attending briefings at the Command Post twice a day, kept a vigil at the site of the tragedy where our Chaplains remained to assist throughout the week, and visited firehouses in Charleston and in outlying departments- as all fire personnel have been deeply affected by this sad event. The Chaplaincy was very involved in planning the Memorial Service on the 22nd, and participated in this fitting tribute. Many of our Chaplains assisted at the Memorial Service, as well as attended one or more of the funerals.

This fire has deeply affected our community, and it has been an honor for the Chaplaincy to be able to serve during this time of need. Please continue to keep our community, firefighters, and Chaplains in your thoughts and prayers.