By Bruce Smith
The Associated Press
CHARLESTON, S.C. — The blaze that killed nine firefighters in a furniture store started on a loading dock, federal investigators confirmed Saturday, a day after the victims were mourned in a joint ceremony.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said investigators have completed their probe at the scene and will continue examining evidence for the cause of the blaze, which caused the single heaviest loss of firefighters since the Sept. 11 attacks.
The loading dock was a covered space between the showroom and the warehouse of the Sofa Super Store, which burned Monday night. The area housed a trash bin and was used to store old furniture that was to be thrown away. It also was frequented by employees on their cigarette breaks, one store worker has told The Associated Press.
Investigators have refused to discuss any possible causes of the fire, and would only say Saturday where it started.
The investigation “will be systematic, deliberate and tenacious and it will take time,’' said Ken Chisholm, special agent in charge of the ATF’s national response team for the region.
He would not say where on the loading dock the fire may have started.
The announcement came a day after a massive memorial service drew thousands to this seaside city. The first of the funerals for the firefighters was held Friday and more were scheduled for later Saturday.
Killed were: Capt. William “Billy’’ Hutchinson, 48; Capt. Mike Benke, 49; Capt. Louis Mulkey, 34; Mark Kelsey, 40; Bradford “Brad’’ Baity, 37; Michael French, 27; James “Earl’’ Drayton, 56; Brandon Thompson, 27; and Melvin Champaign, 46.
“They were moving-forward people. They were firefighters and that’s what we are going to be doing from yesterday forward to attend to our responsibilities in this community, but with more courage and a greater sense of duty and a greater sense of service,’' Mayor Joseph P. Riley said.