Charleston 9 LODD Fire
June 18, 2007 CFP Alert Log
The initial report to CFP was given by an off-duty Charleston firefighter responding to the fire:
19:39
CFP8: CHARLESTON (CHAS) **MULT ALM w/ MAYDAY XMITTED** SAVANNAH HWY (HWY 17) & WAPPOO RD AT "SOFA CITY." 1-STY 250x150. MULT UNITS RESPONDING. MAYDAY XMITTED, MAN DOWN (804FC RESPG/803 DIR) [700] 89/**
In the next alert, we were able to get a better size-up in regards to the dimensions of the fire building:
20:21
CFP8: U/D1 CHARLESTON **MULT ALM** 1807 SAVANNAH HWY. CORR BUSINESS NAME IS "SOFA SUPER STORE." "L" SHAPED 300x250 w/ WAREHOUSE IN REAR. M/A FR ST ANDREWS. (841FC) [700] 89/**
Note the initial discrepancy in terms of the number of members missing in the next alert:
20:39
CPF8: U/D2 CHARLESTON **MULT ALM w/ FFs MISSING** 1807 SAVANNAH HWY. (2) FIREFIGHTERS REPORTED AS MISSING NOW FOR 30 mins. ROOF HAS COLLAPSED. DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS. 15 ENGs, 2 LADDERS, ALL CHFs O/S. (803DIR) [700] 89/**
In the next alert, mutual aid resources have arrived or are responding. Rescue efforts are underway:
20:58
CFP8: U/D3 CHARLESTON *MULT ALM w/ FFs MISSING* 1807 SAVANNAH HWY. 100+ FFs ON SCENE. M/A SUMMERVILLE, N CHAS, ST PAULS, ST ANDREWS. S/C ADDL LADDERS. NUM 5" LINES DN, NUM L/S/O, 2 AERIALS UP. BULK OF FIRE K/D. FFs ATTEMPTING RESCUE EFFORTS. (804FC O/S) [700] 89/**
21:18
CFP8: U/D4 CHARLESTON *MULT ALM* SAVANNAH HWY. ONE FF HAS BEEN LOCATED ALIVE, CONDITION UNKN. SEAR ON-GOING FOR OFFICER (803) [700] 89/**
Before this alert, estimates of the number killed ranged from two to nine. Note that at the eleven o'clock news conference, the Mayor did not give any definitive numbers:
23:29
CFP8: U/D5 CHARLESTON **LODDs** PER A NEWS CONFERENCE BY THE MAYOR OF CHARLESTON: "6 TO 7 FIREFIGHTERS KILLED, OTHERS MISSING." SOURCES ON SCENE REPORT (4) FFs HAVE BEEN RECOVERED. EXTENDED OPERATIONS. (VAR O/S) [700] 9999
July 19, 2007 CFP Alert Log
Additional alerts were not released at this point until they were confirmed by the City of Charleston:
08:26
CFP8: U/D6 CHARLESTON *LODDs* CHARLESTON MAYOR JOE RILEY CONFIRMED THIS MORNING NINE CHARLESTON FFs WERE KILLED. SEVERAL OTHERS INJD. ALL MISSING FFs ACCTD FOR OR HAVE BEEN RECOVERED. INITIAL REPORTS INDICATE A LARGE SHELVING SYSTEM MAY HAVE COLLAPSED DURING THE FIRE. THE BUILDING HAD NO SPRINKLER SYSTEM. DETAILS AT SCONFIRE.COM (VAR) [700] 9999/**
12:52
CFP8: U/D7 CHARLESTON *LODDs* We have information that the names of the nine firefighters killed yesterday will be released at 1400 hrs today. Numerous companies are back-filling Charleston firehouses as they deal with this tragedy. [700] 9999
13:05
CFP: The International Assoc of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) is asking all US fire departments to observe a moment of silence tonight beginning at 1900 hours to recognized the Charleston firefighters killed in the line of duty last evening. (IAFC) [700] 9999
15:21
CFP8: Following are the Ranks, Names, Ages and Yrs of Service of the Fallen Charleston Nine: Cpt William Hutchinson, 48, (30); Cpt Mike Benke, 49, (29); Cpt Louis Mulkey, 34, (11.5); Eng Mark Kelsey, 40, (12.5); Eng Bradford "Brad" Baity, 37, (9); Asst. Eng Michael French, 27, (1.5); FF James "Earl" Drayton, 56, (32); FF Brandon Thompson, 27, (4); FF Melven Champaign, 46, (2). [700] 9999