From the front page of the local paper:
Nine firefighters died Monday night in a fire that destroyed the Sofa Super Store in West Ashley.
It was the single-worse loss off firefighters since 9/11, according to a spokesman from the U.S. Fire Administration, which tracks fire deaths and injuries.
“Nine brave, heroic, courageous firefighters of the city of Charleston have perished fighting fire in a most courageous and fearless manner, carrying out their duties,” Charleston Mayor Joe Riley said at a news conference this morning. “To all of their loved ones, our heart goes out to them.”
God be with them. Foam rubber, fabric and wood–a literal tinderbox. How awful.
Chaplain Rob Dewey, Episcopal Priest, and Director/Founder of the Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy, along with Rev. Spally Taylor and several volunteer chaplains were on the scene ALL NIGHT ministering to the firefighters and families of those killed. Please consider a donation to the Chaplaincy http://www.coastalcrisischaplain.org They just hired a 3rd full time chaplain because of the many calls in the Charleston area.
Rob was also one of the first to head to the Gulf after Katrina, no surprise to hear what he did last night. Prayers and thoughts with the bereaved families.
[Related to this story — Cummins Seminary is the seminary of the Diocese of the Southeast of the REC. –DC]
From: Cummins Theological Seminary, Tuesday, 6/19/07
One of the nine Charleston firefighters who perished in the store fire on Monday night was Firefighter Melvin Champaign, age 46, with the Charleston Fire Department for two years.
He was a nephew of the Rev. Hercules Champaign, B.Th., who is an alumnus of Cummins Seminary and pastor of James Island United Congregational Church, where Melvin was a member.
Late last year, Melvin and his uncle came to the Cummins Seminary campus, in Summerville, and met with the Dean, Canon Dr. Ron Moock. Melvin wanted to begin studying for Ministry, submitted his application, and was accepted as a student. However, because of his schedule, be was unable to start attending classes immediately, hoping to be able to do so this Fall (2007).
In this tragedy, please keep the Champaign family, and the families of the eight other fallen firelighters, in your prayers.
The City of Charleston has set up a special fund for the families of the nine firefighters. Anyone wanting to donate money to help the families may send a donation to The City of Charleston Firemen’s Fund, P.O. Box 304, Charleston, SC, 29402, or make a donation at any Bank of America location in the lowcountry area.