Fire report draft released
NIOSH pinpoints several critical factors in sofa store blaze
By Ron Menchaca , Glenn Smith
Firefighters who battled the Sofa Super Store blaze lacked enough water and proper equipment to effectively do their jobs, and were undermined by a series of tactical errors that allowed the fire to spiral into an inferno that killed nine men, according to a draft federal report the city released Thursday.
The Post and Courier/File
Charleston firefighters battling the Sofa Super Store blaze used a variety of hoses. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health said in its draft report issued Thursday that the firefighters did not have enough water to properly battle the massive blaze.
The 54-page document from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health describes a dire scene with moments of anguish, chaos, courage and heroism as firefighters struggled to control the fire and find the men who perished in the flames.
Along the way, crews violated a cardinal rule of firefighting: pour on enough water to gain the upper hand on a blaze and protect firefighters.
Water problems defined what happened that fatal night, the report reveals.
"Adequate water supply for the size of the structure and fuel loads inside was never established and adequate hose lines capable of attacking the fire with adequate fire streams were not deployed," the report says. "Water supply was a critical factor in the sequence of events leading up to the nine fatalities."
Among the report's key findings:
-- The fire came close to claiming the lives of at least six other firefighters.
-- The first firefighters inside had to wait nearly 15 minutes until other
firefighters got them water from a hydrant. They instead fought the blaze with a limited supply of water aboard their truck.
-- The department relied on water hoses that were too small.
NIOSH Draft Report
-- Firefighters inside the store noticed the roof trusses in the main showroom "glowing red from the intense heat." For years, federal reports have warned firefighters that truss-supported roofs exposed to extreme heat can collapse within minutes.
-- One of the first fire crews stopped to hook up to a fire hydrant that had been removed in 2004 after it was damaged in a traffic accident.
-- Fire Chief Rusty Thomas initially refused a neighboring department's offer of larger hoses and more modern equipment.
-- One of the hoses carried by firefighters standing at the face of the fire went limp and dry.
-- Several of the firefighters reported running out of air in their tanks. The city has since purchased airpacks that provide firefighters with larger oxygen supplies.
Cascading problems
Lack of water wasn't the only problem that night. The report lists many other significant issues that contributed to what happened.
-- The sprawling sofa store did not meet city codes, lacked sprinklers and routinely stored trash and broken furniture near its loading dock, where investigators have said the fire originated. The fire department's "pre-plan" for the store did not note any unusual hazards.
In our special section with photos, videos, interactives, donation information and every story written about the tragedy.
-- The crew of one fire engine that was designated as rescue crew was ordered into the fight instead.
-- Investigators discovered 28 one-gallon cans of extremely flammable solvents inside the loading dock, which the report says may have fueled a vapor fire. "The flames appeared to float in the air and burned floor to ceiling. The water didn't appear to have any effect on the fire so the crew started to retreat."
--Firefighters from different departments couldn't communicate at the fire because they used different radio dispatch systems.
-- After lost firefighters began calling for help over the radio, Thomas ordered the front windows of the store broken out to improve visibility inside. "The firefighters noted that air rushed inside the showroom after the windows were knocked out." Within a minute, turbulent dark, smoke was seen rolling from the windows, and the conditions deteriorated quickly.
Firefighters also pulled at least two small red booster lines into the store to fight the fire. These small, 1-inch hoses are intended for nuisance trash fires and most experts say they should never be used in any type of structure fire, especially one the size of the sofa store.
One of the booster lines advanced into the fire proved useless against the flames and caused firefighters to retreat, the report says. "The booster line did not have any effect on the fire so they backed the line out."
Thomas has denied that his firefighters used booster lines in the early stage of the fire inside the store. "I don't want nobody to think that the Charleston Fire Department put boosters on the Sofa Super Store to put fire out at the start of the fire," Thomas told The Post and Courier in an earlier interview. "We did not."
Melted uniforms
Investigators also found evidence that the polyester work uniforms worn by the firefighters who perished melted under high heat after their outer protective gear degraded. After the newspaper first reported the dangers of the department's polyester uniforms in the wake of the fire, the city immediately ordered them replaced.
Charleston Mayor Joe Riley released the NIOSH report to the newspaper after notifying firefighters and the families of the nine men who died in the June 18 blaze.
"It is very important that everyone be aware even of this draft document so that this process is public and transparent."
NIOSH, a division of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, conducts investigations of firefighter line-of-duty deaths to formulate recommendations for preventing future deaths and injuries. The program does not find fault or place blame on fire departments, and its reports tend to be technical in nature in an effort to provide constructive lessons for those in the fire service.
The draft report released Thursday does not include a cause of the fire. That's still under investigation by federal authorities.
The final report from NIOSH is not expected for another three to four months, and Riley had considered delaying a report from a city-appointed panel until the federal report was complete. The mayor reversed course this week and announced that the independent panel's report would be released May 15.
NIOSH surprised everyone by sending out the draft of its report that arrived Thursday afternoon. The local firefighters union also received a copy of the report, said union president Roger Yow.
Yow said the union did not intend to release the report because it was accompanied by a letter from NIOSH noting that the report is only a draft for review purposes and is not intended for public release. But Yow said he spoke with Riley and understood the mayor's reasons for wanting the report released.
Riley said he considered the report to be in the public domain once it was mailed out.
Both the city, the union and the families of the fallen will now have the opportunity to comment on the report before it is finalized. The final version will include a list of recommendations and provide more context about how the actions of firefighters meshed with national best practices and guidelines.
Reach Ron Menchaca at rmenchaca@postandcourier.com or 937-5724. Reach Glenn Smith at gsmith@postandcourier.com or 937-5556.
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BillytheKid (anonymous) says...
I don't see much new except that Thomas is a liar. I hope I get on one of the many jury's, Joe will be cutting the plaintiff's grass.
May 9, 2008 at 12:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CountryGirl (anonymous) says...
Why would Chief Thomas refuse help from another department who had larger hoses. Seems like any help would be appreciated. Maybe I don't understand the fire departments "code" for receiving outside help. Seems like once they realized they couldn't contain it, they would have immediately gotten those guys out of there.
May 9, 2008 at 1:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CedarPosts (anonymous) says...
The whole thing is just all kinds of wrong.
May 9, 2008 at 5:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moonpie (anonymous) says...
This clearly shows what we thought was true, lack of leadership, proper equip, and a cowboy attitude killed these men. It's all pointed out here plain as day, now what? Rusty must go!
May 9, 2008 at 6:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
firefightersforthetruth (anonymous) says...
Truths and facts! This is the beginning! Wait for next Thursday! Only call them as I see them!
What needs to be done now? Should it have been done sooner? Who was in charge? Is anyone accountable? Question for thought!
What will it take to bring about the change that must occur to start to make the CFD a safer department?
God bless your 9 fallen brothers! No one had their back!
May 9, 2008 at 6:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hey_U_Guys (anonymous) says...
I'm really tired of hearing about this. And the fact that the Mayor sepnt so much money buying the site, is ridiculous to me
May 9, 2008 at 7:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jammer (anonymous) says...
wow.... what a sad day for the families of all involved, again my sincere condolences to all
Joe you should have fired Thomas long ago, he caused these deaths without a doubt on several accounts
Rusty will either commit suicide or Joe will finally grow some nads and fire him in the obvious face of idiocy
May 9, 2008 at 7:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yeahright (anonymous) says...
There was a video posted on this site after the fire that clearly showed firemen breaking the storefront windows of the SSS which obviously fed a large amount of oxygen to the fire, and almost immediately the fire became enraged, and maybe a minute later the roof collapsed. I remember at the time thinking these firemen made a grave error in judgement. To find out they were following direct orders from the fire chief is unbelievable. I know nothing about fighting fire, but it seems to me this is the worst thing that could have been done in that situation.
May 9, 2008 at 7:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
My heart is ripping in half over all these brave men had to suffer. My condolences to their families.
May 9, 2008 at 7:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jifdeng3 (anonymous) says...
So now that a preview of the federal report is out, and the Routly report is going to say alot of the same things, if not more I wonder how many people still "Support our Chief". What a looser. They didn't even issue flash hoods? I was unaware of that. Christ they need to get that worthless staff out of there.
May 9, 2008 at 8:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Weeeee (anonymous) says...
*yawn slow news day
May 9, 2008 at 8:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jifdeng3 (anonymous) says...
Ignore the troll.
May 9, 2008 at 8:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dreyn (anonymous) says...
Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely. Can anyone anywhere think of a situation where nine men can die and NO one pays any price? Joe Riley has undoubtedly done some very good things for Charleston over the years. But this is a good example of public people staying in power too long. What keeps this man in office? What possibly keeps Rusty Thomas in his position?
May 9, 2008 at 8:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Pluffmuddy (anonymous) says...
What a circus...with Rusty the Clown and Joe the Ringmaster.
May 9, 2008 at 8:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Weeeee (anonymous) says...
How am I a troll? This isn't news. You people ALL knew this report would be doctored to fit their agenda as neat as they could make it.
Riley has been mayor for SOOOOOOOOOOOOO long. Nothing will ever happen to him.
May 9, 2008 at 8:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
Ignorance and hard headedness leading an entire fire department.
They should be hiding their faces in shame, as the whole country has seen what has happened in Charleston, SC.
May 9, 2008 at 8:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
markasnyder (anonymous) says...
Frankly, I don't think calling for the resignations of the mayor and chief are enough. Along with the owner of the SSS, I believe criminal charges should be filed. These men are all negligent and directly responsible for nine needless deaths.
Those brave souls charged a raging fire ill-equipped under the supervision of a man stupid enough to fuel the fire, by feeding it O2 and refusing assistance from other departments.
And why does a furniture store need 28 cans of highly flammable solvent, that just happened to be stored near a large pile of combustible trash?
There are at least three men who should be behind bars, but instead, they're behind their desks...and one is cutting a nearly $2,000,000 check to one of the others.
Disgusting.
May 9, 2008 at 9:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Weeeee (anonymous) says...
I think most of you can agree with me when I say the majority of our elected officials are turds. I live in North Charleston. I hate the mayor and how he runs things. Summey, "his largeness", won't be voted out. He buys his election every time because he's a "good ole boy".
Just like I LOVE how he knew the right time to buy up all that land because he knew it would be developed and the value would increase afterwards. I'm all for cleaning up the wasteland that surrounds several neighborhoods around park circle, but I definitely prefer without our elected officials' money hungry hands deep in it.
May 9, 2008 at 9:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jifdeng3 (anonymous) says...
Weee,
This report is not doctored. It is brutally honost. Read it again. It highlights the failure of command, failure of accountability, failure to use modern firefighting practices, failure to use proper sized hoze lines, (as a side to that it points out rustys blatent lie to the media), failure of water supply, failure to utilize help offered from local depatments, failure to outfit firefighters with proper PPE, hell I could go on. I truly hope this wakes up all these rusty and riley supporters and makes them realize that they seriously screwed up and need to be held accountable.
May 9, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CountryGirl (anonymous) says...
I don't understand why the people of Charleston think they NEED Riley. I realize the good things he's done for the city, but he's not the only creative person out there. It seems like people think the city will wilt and die if Riley goes. The man's going to die sometime...then what?
May 9, 2008 at 10:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
512c (anonymous) says...
I saw a building just like this sofa store put out the RIGHT Way once, they closed all the doors, and the building inflated like a balloon... The sheathing held it together, as they sprayed foam and water on the outside...
All I had to see was the video of the men breaking the window open, and I knew what the report was going to say.
I know the chief spent most of his time driving around trying (as most chiefs do) manage the insane amount of paper work, station openings, meeting with architects, city officials, budgets etc... to pay enough attention to the hoses... But I also know he loved to get in there with the boys. Every one says, new stations, better equipment, as they move further and further into the burbs... They don't think they have any influence on this..
May 9, 2008 at 11:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Weeeee (anonymous) says...
Archdude,
You couldn't be more right. This is the same issue North Charleston residents face. Summey's last election...he had an "opponent"? I chose not to vote because I already knew the outcome...Summey by landslide. And that's exactly what happened.
May 9, 2008 at 11:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JohnS (anonymous) says...
If the people wanted our mayor out they would have spoken at the pole. Maybe now that the reports are being released the radical union will just fade away now that they got 15 mins of fame.
May 9, 2008 at 11:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Paoa (anonymous) says...
If Chief Thomas doesn't go things could get ugly! The pain and anger is palpable and the Routley Report is around the corner. Take note Mayor Riley. There are several brothers on the CFD who are on the verge of going over the edge ! I just hope that you realize the scope of what lies before you !!
May 9, 2008 at 11:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Paul (anonymous) says...
Why it we do nothing but complain in these forums?
We need to dispose of these two dinosaurs before they kill or harm anyone else or cause any more destruction.
May 9, 2008 at 11:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yeahright (anonymous) says...
How many of you complaining about Riley voted this last election? Or do you have the same "I chose not to vote because I already knew the outcome" BS excuse, or that there were no "viable" candidates?
You aren't going to find a candidate on paper that is more qualified to be mayor of Charleston than someone who has 30 years experience at just that. There was a legitimate candidate in the last election. Voter apathy is why Riley the tyrant still rules.
May 9, 2008 at 11:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Weeeee (anonymous) says...
yeahright,
Summey won his last election like 67% to 33% or some outlandish percentage close to that. Honestly, what is my vote going to accomplish when that's the outcome? Oh sorry. It would've just been 66% to 34%.
Meh :-\
May 9, 2008 at 11:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yeahright (anonymous) says...
I wasn't referring to you solely. I'm just pointing out that there are many, many people with the same lame attitude and would rather complain than vote for change.
If you don't exercise your right to vote, then you have no right demanding change.
May 9, 2008 at 12:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yeahright (anonymous) says...
BTW, there was a 23% voter turnout in the N. Chuck election.
Lame.
May 9, 2008 at 12:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
burton (anonymous) says...
I called this since last year. I'm a fire novice but even I know that one of the elements that a fire needs is OXYGEN!! If Chief "Peter Principle" Thomas doesn't get fired now that this report has been released I don't know what it will take. Oh, maybe the loads of lawsuits that are coming will do it. Do the right thing and resign/retire Chief.
As for King "Kneel and kiss my Citadel ring" Riley, Charleston voters had their opportunity to get rid of him in the last election and they didn't so live with him and his decrees! I feel so sad for the families. This tragedy did not have to happen!
May 9, 2008 at 12:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Weeeee (anonymous) says...
23% turnout. I can't help but laugh. It wouldn't surprise me if the majority who did show up and vote were the very same good ole boys who live all around Summey.
May 9, 2008 at 1:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bgneckow (anonymous) says...
The whole country does grieve with you and see and read about what happened to those poor firefighters at The Sofa Super Store. So tragic and sickening the mistakes that were made. I'm in California but love Charleston and lived there for 7 years. This tragedy and the possibility that the same could ever happen again under the same men would be criminal!
May 9, 2008 at 1:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
PalmettoHawk (anonymous) says...
What this country needs is more Statesmen and less politicians. There are too many career office holders milking the tax payers. If one can't effect sufficient changes in 32 years of office what can you accomplish in 4 more? Yet the man gets re-elected. Hmmm
My next comment is that there appears to have been a "Perfect Storm" of poor equipment, poor planning, poor leadership, and poor fire fighting knowledge that attributed to the needless deaths of nine fine men. Someone is surely responsible. Remember Harry Truman's placard? "The Buck Stops Here"...where does the buck stop in the SSS fire? Has anyone stepped up?
May 9, 2008 at 2:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
onoitsono (anonymous) says...
Should of saved the money spent on buying the site for all the lawsuits coming!!! The Mayor and his Chief have sure stepped in this time!!
May 9, 2008 at 2:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
3olivesmike (anonymous) says...
I think I'll go see if there are installed sprinklers at the SSS site in Mt P. Also a look at their loading dock might be interesting. Hey, why am I doing the P&C's job?
May 9, 2008 at 2:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
captjack (anonymous) says...
JohnS, this report is from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health not a "radical union". Get your facts straight before you spout off your own anti-union agenda. But more importantly these "radical union" firefighters protect you and I from the ravages of fire, they deserve a respectful response.
This is just the beginning of the end for RT and possibly Little Joe.
Godspeed the Charleston Nine and their surviving families, jack and cheryl.
May 9, 2008 at 2:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bravecharleston9myspace (anonymous) says...
GREAT!! SO THE FAMILIES OF OUR 9 ARE FINALLY NOT GREEDY!!
YAY!!!
May 9, 2008 at 2:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JohnS (anonymous) says...
In the next few months after all of this has settled and the radical union fades away maybe the mayor can get the city some new firemen who appreciate the good dept they have.
May 9, 2008 at 2:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bravecharleston9myspace (anonymous) says...
DUDE!!!
9 MEN DIED!!!
HOW THE HECK DO YOU SUPPOSE THIS WILL 'FADE AWAY'???
ARE U A TROLL???
May 9, 2008 at 2:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
geekguy2008 (anonymous) says...
There is NO such thing as a 'troll'.
There are only those that disagree with YOUR precious opinion.
May 9, 2008 at 3:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Weeeee (anonymous) says...
I suppose I'm a troll too because honestly, I'm tired of hearing about the SSS fire, Mayor Riley, and Thomas.
To be frank, I'd be astonished to see anything described as 'bad' come to Riley or Thomas in the wake of all of it.
May 9, 2008 at 3:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dixie (anonymous) says...
Weeeee if you are so tired of hearing about it why the hell are you taking your time reading these posts and posting comments? Why don't you go elsewhere. A majority of the firemen for the CFD do not live in City district so they could not have voted against Riley. I feel that most of the people writing post on here that complain about Riley do not live in the City so they couldn't have voted against him.
May 9, 2008 at 4:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DawnM (anonymous) says...
the sh*t has hit the fan
May 9, 2008 at 8:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bravecharleston9myspace (anonymous) says...
MY PRECIOUS OPINION HAPPENS TO SUPPORT 9 FAMILIES OF 9 DEAD FIREFIGHTERS.
THAT GUY THINKS IT'S GONNA FADE AWAY......NOT GONNA HAPPEN!
I AGREE WITH DIXIE....WHY DON'T YOU WEEEEE WEEEE WEEEE YOURSELF OFF THIS TOPIC IF YOUR SO TIRED OF IT???
FOR THE REST OF US, THE TRUTH HAS COME OUT AND LIKE DAWNM JUST SAID....IT'S GETTIN' MESSY!!!!
GET UR POPCORN!!! AND DON'T CALL THE FAMILIES GREEDY WHEN THEY GO AFTER JUSTICE EITHER!!!!
May 9, 2008 at 8:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Kaipo (anonymous) says...
"Firefighters who battled the Sofa Super Store blaze lacked enough water..."
WRONG. More than ample water was available at the fire hydrants that were located in acceptable distance to the SSS.
"One of the first fire crews stopped to hook up to a fire hydrant that had been removed in 2004 after it was damaged in a traffic accident"
I believe that hydrant has been gone from that location since about 1997! Where did 2004 come from????
Some of the verbiage being used by both print and televised news agencies is misleading. Sounds as if the water supplier is to blame for this when in fact, ample water and fire hydrants were available, just not utilized to the fullest extent.
May 9, 2008 at 10:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Kaipo (anonymous) says...
Thomas1776, Where did your info come from??????????
(Not Enough Fire Hydrants Installed By The City To Properly Combat Fires - Wide Spread Problem Through Out The City of Charleston. Hence, poor management by City Officials that likely jeopardizes the safety of all ).
You may want to get the facts before posting!!!!!!!
May 9, 2008 at 10:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UberBlitzkrieg (anonymous) says...
Kaipo,
You are inorrect. One 21/2 line per truck is not good water supply. Yes the hydrants were there but you are not going to get ANYTHING pumping through 23 sections of hose. The friction loss would be incredible!!
The large diameter line is a "water main" on top of the road. VERY LITTLE friction loss.
The water supply that was on the fire was NOT ADEQUATE to combat it. The BUILDING BURNED!!!
Only after large diameter hose was established was the fire brought under control. By then it was to late.
May 9, 2008 at 11:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Kaipo (anonymous) says...
Uber,
I am speaking of the verbiage being used in print and on the televised news. The impression it gives is that the water purveyor is not supplying adequate water or pressures. As if the water distribution system did not supply enough water.
I am well aware of both friction and head loss due to distance, materials used etc. The "supply" was not the problem. It was the lack of use of the available supply!!!!
Look up the definiton of water supply!
May 9, 2008 at 11:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UberBlitzkrieg (anonymous) says...
Kaipo,
Understood. I thought about that after I posted but wanted to see your reply. Forgive me for the confusion.
May 10, 2008 at 7:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dumbandlost (anonymous) says...
we all sit here and read the comments on here and you know that talking just is not cutting it. i lost nine brothers on that day, and all eveybody does is complain about it. i saw the pictures on the report and some of the firefighter there were from st. andrew fire dept. breaking the windows out with no helmet on,and a haligan tool at, so before you cast judgement on the CFD LOOK AT THE WHOLE PICTURE before you SAY SOMEHTING ABOUT THE CFD
May 10, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
saveaff (anonymous) says...
City of Charleston Firefighters,
Please come together to remove Chief Rusty Thomas. Stick together, go to every city council meeting (fill the room and let one of your guys speak for the firefighters)Use the newspaper and TV Channels,do whatever it takes to get rid of him now. You've already lost 9 brothers! It's time for you guys to bring the department out of the past and secure some new leadership! It's time for a change! Make it happen brothers!
May 14, 2008 at 12:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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