Posted on 06/18/2007 10:22:48 PM PDT by Hillarys Gate Cult
The search is underway for as many as seven missing firefighters at the scene of a West Ashley fire. Charleston Mayor Joe Riley told reporters that several firefighters from three different local agencies were unaccounted for after the Sofa Superstore collapsed, but provided no further details.
The fire broke out late Monday afternoon, shutting down part of Highway 17 near Wappoo Road. Flames were spotted shooting from the roof and thick black smoke billowed into the sky and could be seen as far away as James Island.
Local residents and bystanders attempted to assist firefighters contain the fire. Some moved hoses and directed traffic. A man who lived behind the building tried to help fight the fire with a garden hose.
One of the witnesses told Live 5 News that he was about thirty yards away from the building when it collapsed and said that the building appeared to just sink to the ground.
My boss forwarded me this email from her daughter-in-law:
I would like to first like to say that Bill is SAFE/UNINJURED!
Last night 9 local fire fighters with the City of Charleston Fire Department have lost their lives in the line of duty after a sofa store caught on fire.
I would like to thank each of you that has called to check on our family.
Bill was NOT on duty last night but did go in. He didn’t get home until after 4 am. 2 fire stations lost BOTH of their crews. Station #16 and #19.
Please take a moment to pray for those families that lost loved ones.
The Fireman’s Prayer
When I am called to duty, God,
Where’re the flames may rage,
Give me strength to save some life
Whatever be its age.
Help me embrace a little child
Before it is too late,
Or save some older person from
The horror of that fate.
Enable me to be alert,
And hear the weakest shout
And quickly and effectively
To put the fire out.
I want to fill my calling
And give the best in me.
To guard my every neighbor
And protect his property;
And if according to Your will,
I have to lose my life
Please bless with Your protecting hand
My children and my wife.
Amen.
My son and I bought my husband’s Father’s Day recliner from that store last Friday.
Last night’s 11pm news cast was heartbreaking.
Footage showed the men going into the building. The second man in was only wearing a Tee shirt-no protective coat.
So horribly sad.
Prayers for these families-how horrible!
Thanking God for bravery and willingness to help.
:( God bless those families and may they find those unaccounted for. How teribly sad.
Oh my God...really? That makes me cry.
Gosh, what a sad account. I’m glad she was pregnant too.
BTTT...prayers.
How sad and so awful.
I’m praying for the families and friends of these brave firefighters.
Father, please welcome these firefighters home. Please hold their families in your loving embrace. Give them strength during this time. Amen
Sending prayers for the firefighters and their family members
Prayers lifted for the firefighters who apparently are lost, and their families who will suffer that loss.
I pray that our Heavenly Father will embrace all with the kindness of his peace that they may somehow feel some ease as they get through this ordeal from moment to moment.
I will pray for all these folks daily.
Blessings,
Jane
I just watched the raw video on channel news 2 onlne.
You know when the walls caved in because you can hear the locaters.
It is so so sad.
Prayers up!
God bless their souls, and their families. Worcester was in shock when it lost 6 firemen in the cold storage warehouse fire back in December of 1999. This is such a tragedy for the community.
God welcome your servants into Your Kingdom. Give comfort to their loved ones. For Jesus’ Sake amen.
prayers going up!
That is so sad. But, yeah, I can see her being glad she was pregnant.
So very sad.
PRayers for all the families.
I live down the road from the Super Sofa Store, and I tell you, I never saw a place burn so fast. I never saw the actual fire, but the smoke that was coming out was coming out so fast it made your head spin. The road I live on had bumper to bumper traffic. Continue prayers for the families of the nine fallen firefighters, the deadliest incident for firefighters since 9/11.
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