06/18/2026
June 18 โ We Remember the Charleston 9
Today, we pause to remember the nine firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Charleston Sofa Super Store Fire.
On June 18, 2007, nine members of the Charleston Fire Department lost their lives while courageously battling a rapidly advancing commercial structure fire. Their dedication, bravery, and commitment to protecting others serve as a lasting reminder of the risks firefighters face every day.
As we honor their memory, we also reflect on the lessons learned from that tragic day and recommit ourselves to training, safety, accountability, and looking out for one another.
Never Forget the Charleston 9
๐ Captain William Hutchinson
๐ Captain Louis Mulkey
๐ Engineer Mark Kelsey
๐ Assistant Engineer Michael French
๐ Firefighter Melvin Champaign
๐ Firefighter Brandon Thompson
๐ Firefighter James โEarlโ Drayton
๐ Firefighter Bradford Baity
๐ Firefighter Brandon Kay
โGreater love has no one than this: to lay down oneโs life for oneโs friends.โ โ John 15:13