By FireRescue1 Staff
CHARLESTON, S.C. — Firefighters, family and members of the community will gather at the Charleston Nine Memorial Park to pay respects to the nine firefighters who lost their lives 12 years ago. A
The city built the memorial on the same site as the tragic incident, Live 5 WCSC reports. At the time of the incident, this was the highest number of firefighter fatalities since the Sept. 11, 2011, terrorist attacks.
On the evening of June 18, 2007, a furniture store caught fire, according to Charleston Nine Memorial Park website. Multiple factors such as public safety violations, lack of command and furniture made of combustible materials led to the fatalities.
The ceremony will last about 30 minutes, paying respect to: Engineer Bradford “Brad” Baity of Engine 19; Capt. Mike Benke of Engine 16; Firefighter Melvin Champaign of Engine 16; Firefighter James “Earl” Drayton of Engine 19; Asst. Engineer Michael French of Ladder 5; Capt. William Hutchinson of Engine 19; Engineer Mark Kelsey of Ladder 5; Capt. Louis Mulkey of Engine 15; and Firefighter Brandon Thompson of Ladder 5.