FALLEN HEROES
Gaffney Fire Department sets up memorial to nine comrades who perished fighting Charleston blaze
By SCOTT POWELL Ledger Staff Writer spowell@gaffneyledger.com

(TOP) Framed photos of the nine members of the Charleston Fire Department who lost their lives Monday are displayed at the Gaffney Fire Department as part of a memorial set up in their honor. The display includes biographies of each firefighter, including their nicknames and each one's length of service. (LEFT) Doris Pearson signs the guest registry at the memorial site. Residents may view the memorial and pay tribute to the fallen heroes between the hours of 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. today through Sunday.

County residents can pay tribute to the nine Charleston Fire Department firefighters who lost their lives in a furniture warehouse fire Monday.

The firefighters died of smoke inhalation and burns after the roof of the structure collapsed.

A memorial display and registry will be available at the Gaffney Fire Department through Sunday from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. daily.

The memorial is provided by the Cherokee County Fire Chiefs Association and the Gaffney Fire Department. The display contains pictures and biographies of the Charleston firefighters, including their nicknames and lengths of service.

Ledger photos by SARAJANE BURROUGHS

A registry will be available for residents to sign and leave comments.

The Charleston Fire Department has 250 members. Monday's fire is considered the largest single loss of firefighters since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

"This event serves to remind us of the dangers that we face each and every day that we come to work," Gaffney Fire Marshal Nathan Ellis said. "To lose that many men in one fire reminds us of how catastrophic a fire scene can become.

"Even when you do everything right the way you have been trained, there is always that danger," Ellis continued. "We don't want to think about it, but the danger is there. It's real. And this happened right down the road in Charleston...it could have just as easily have occurred here in Cherokee County."

Some firefighters from Cherokee County plan to attend a memorial service in Charleston. The memorial display will remain up through the weekend and will be delivered by local firefighters to Charleston at a later date.

"Most of us continue to still be in shock at what happened," Cherokee County Fire Chiefs Association President Josh Parker said. "We want to show our love and support and let the firefighters in Charleston know our thoughts and prayers are with them."