Sofa store employees hurt in their own wayBy Ron Menchaca (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Employees of the Sofa Super Store don't compare their grief to that of the families of the fallen nine firefighters. But one company official said Wednesday that the employees are still hurting. A bevy of lawsuits against the store and the possibility that one of their own may have accidently caused the deadly fire still weighs on employees a year later, company Vice President Becky Field said. The cloud of litigation has caused uncertainty, and many employees wonder how long they will have jobs, she said. "That's talked about a lot. We are scared," she said. The company has no choice but to stay in business for the welfare of its 70 workers, she said. Most opted to stay on despite being told that the company can't afford to give raises. "They are here because they want to be," Field said. "But we don't want to take the focus off the firefighters' families. What we have lost is nothing." The company replaced the store with one on Wappoo Road and has others in Mount Pleasant and North Charleston. Field said business is off. She doesn't know if that's a symptom of the sluggish economy or a "stigma" from the fire. "Not one customer has ever said anything hateful," she said. "They have supported us with open arms. But I read the blogs." Charleston Mayor Joe Riley has said he holds store owner Herb Goldstein responsible for the deaths because of fire- and building-code violations at the store that contributed to the rapid spread of the blaze. Field said Goldstein was devastated by what happened. As for the just-released ATF report on the fire, Field said she recognizes that an employee's improperly discarded cigarette may have ignited some old furniture. "Sure you think about it. I don't think any one would maliciously do it," she said. Reach Ron Menchaca at rmenchaca@postandcourier.com or 937-5724. |
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Comments
This article has 17 comment(s)
Posted by gococks1985 on July 10, 2008 at 7 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am so glad that I do not live in the fine city of Charleston where King Riley rules. While he may be holding the owner responsible, I personally believe he is just as responsible for this. He did not make sure his court jesters were properly trained to prevent this. The fire marshal's are supposed to be inspecting these places yearly for violations. Why did they not catch this sooner. It's time for the King to leave the castle, along with his court of fools.
Posted by BillytheKid on July 10, 2008 at 7:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The city gave a wink to the SSS and the fire department was ill prepared for what happened. Store owner, contractor and the City all have some missed responsibilities on that fire.
The store owner just because of the maze type of layout in the showroom.
The contractor, he knew the rule’s and sidestepped them.
The City two fold because it’s wrong training of its firemen from the top down, and the City turning it’s back on a known problem’s.
Posted by RTC on July 10, 2008 at 8:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
They will never be able to prove what exactly started this fire. It is all speculation. The person responsible knows who they are, and they will have to live with this on their conscience for the rest of their life.
I do feel for the employees, but there are other furniture stores where they can find jobs. If they have only worked sales their entire lives then they can find a job just about anywhere in retail. It is not the end of the world for them.
Posted by Early on July 10, 2008 at 8:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Tides high at 2:13 pm today
Posted by Weeeee on July 10, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You know it's slow news day...or even no news day when you have two articles covering the same crap that's been around for a year. And you know it's even worse when there's an article about it on the AP wire. Eek. I wish this story would burn out just like the store did.
Posted by summerville_guy on July 10, 2008 at 10:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
SSS story = $$$! Let's exploit it as much as we can! Let's see, we have covered it from every angle possible several times over, we already wrote about the lawsuits this week...I know! Let's talk about how the business has been affected! Yeah, that's it - anything we can do to keep pounding it into people's heads that there was a fire!
Posted by yeayea on July 10, 2008 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
to think they re-elected riley... shame..
Posted by Peacock on July 10, 2008 at 10:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
RTC, The person responsible knows who they are -- and are enjoying every minute of misinforming and outsmarting the authorities. This was a hate crime; don't hold your breath on the existence of a conscience.
Posted by Rebel_Yell on July 10, 2008 at 11:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Long live the King. Once we get the tax dollars from the other 1/2 of James Island, we'll be able to fix all the flooding downtown and can laugh when Mayor Slob is kicked to the curb with all her goons who work in and live off the city. Even rednecks must pay their share of taxes when they suck on the city's tit.
Posted by kerwin1959 on July 10, 2008 at 11:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
When did this become a hate crime? Hatred of who and why? Peacock, are YOU withholding information you have from authorities? You've made a serious statement, and you should follow up with an explanation.
Maybe PnC should contact you for your slant of this horrible event.
Posted by Coastalposter on July 10, 2008 at 11:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How long must this go on? The "nine" worked in hazardous situations AS A CONDITION OF THEIR EMPLOYMENT! These guys were supposedly well-trained. Building totally engulfed in flames = no sprinkler system. Burning building full of furniture = VERY HOT FLAMES. Running inside = potential disaster! Firefighters have life insurance, right? When there's is a clear-cut reason for the fire having started & it is PROVEN to be negligence, sue. Until then, cash your premium check & quit clogging the legal system with frivolous lawsuits! Why waste space in the P&C with this NON-story when there's so much good Christie Brinkley news?
Posted by 3olivesmike on July 10, 2008 at 11:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If there's evidence of a hate crime someone had better start talking to the cops. And any where else in this country the cops would be finding out who Peacock is.
Posted by easyridr on July 10, 2008 at 12:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Enough said about the Sofa Super Store!
Every day we read about this.
Move on Please!
Posted by letitgo07 on July 10, 2008 at 2:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Fields you say you read the blogs...then you should know how sick every one is of this! Why add to it? To get yur 15 minutes of fame?
Posted by UberBlitzkrieg on July 10, 2008 at 4:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
CoastalPoster... you are a loser. You would not be "preaching" this crap if it was your house on fire or your family trapped.
No, you would be the first in line to say it took the CFD 20 minutes to get to the fire and want to sue them. Go away... your wasting my air.
Posted by Peacock on July 10, 2008 at 6:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I tried to contact "the authorities" on 6/22/07; 10/31/07; 3/5/08; etc. etc. etc. No credibility, I guess. And apparently, no evidence. The perfect crime.
Posted by Coastalposter on July 11, 2008 at 9:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
CoastalPoster... you are a loser. You would not be "preaching" this crap if it was your house on fire or your family trapped.
LET'S NOT DEAL IN THE HYPOTHETICAL, SPORT. YOU DON'T KNOW ME, WHAT I "WOULD DO" OR WHAT I HAVE DONE! LET'S DEAL IN REALITY & STICK TO THE POINT. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT ANY ONE INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP CAUSED THIS TRAGIC ACCIDENT. THESE PEOPLE ARE SIMPLY LEACHING ON TO THE BEST CHANCE TO MAKE SOME MONEY.
No, you would be the first in line to say it took the CFD 20 minutes to get to the fire and want to sue them. Go away... your wasting my air.
SORRY ABOUT WASTING YOUR AIR . . . REALLY . . . IT'S PRETTY OBVIOUS THAT NOT ENOUGH OF IT IS GETTING TO YOUR BRAIN. OH, & AS FAR AS YOUR USE OF THE TERM "LOSER" GOES, I WOULD SAY SOMEONE WHO HAS MADE 85 POSTS TO THIS WEBSITE PRETTY WELL QUALIFIES AS A LOSER. YOU GO AWAY . . . YOU'RE WASTING MY BANDWIDTH.