Tragic Charleston Blaze

Chief Rusty Thomas directs Charleston firefighters battling a fire that destroyed the Sofa Super Store in Charleston, S.C. Monday, June 18, 2007. Nine firefighters were killed when the roof of the building collapsed. "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 Joseph P. Riley said.

Firefighters battle a blaze that destroyed the Sofa Super Store and warehouse in Charleston, S.C., Monday, June 18, 2007. Nine firefighters died after the roof of the building collapsed with them inside.

A firefighter walks in front of the burning Sofa Super Store in Charleston, S.C., Monday, June 18, 2007. Nine firefighters died fighting the fire which destroyed the store and a warehouse.

A firefighter gets a helping hand after battling a fire that destroyed the Sofa Super Store and a warehouse in Charleston, S.C., Monday, June 18, 2007. Nine firefighters died fighting the blaze.

A firefighter takes a moment after helping to put out the fire that claimed the lives of nine Charleston firefighters when the roof collapsed on them at the Sofa Super Store in Charleston, S.C., Tuesday, June 19, 2007. The fire began Monday night about 7 p.m.

Two Charleston area firefighters mourn the loss of nine fellow firefighters who died fighting a fire at the Sofa Super Store in Charleston, S.C., Tuesday, June 19, 2007. The firefighters were killed when the roof of the warehouse collapsed with them inside.

Firefighters survey the damage after putting out the fire that claimed the lives of nine Charleston area firefighters at the Sofa Super Store in Charleston, S.C., Tuesday, June 19, 2007.

A firefighter mourns in Charleston, S.C., Tuesday, June 19, 2007, the loss of nine firefighters who died fighting a fire which started Monday at the Sofa Super Store. Two employees in the building were rescued from the blaze. One was rescued quickly, and firefighters punched a hole through a wall of the warehouse to reach the other.

Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr., addresses the media Tuesday, June 19, 2007, regarding the fire that claimed the lives of nine Charleston area firefighters at the Sofa Super Store in Charleston, S.C., Monday, as Charleston Chief of Police Gregory Mullen, left, looks on.

Firefighters survey the damage at the Sofa Super Store in Charleston, S.C., Tuesday, June 19, 2007, after putting out the fire that claimed the lives of nine Charleston area firefighters.

Firefighters survey the damage early Tuesday, June 19, 2007, after a fire Monday swept through a furniture warehouse in Charleston, S.C., collapsing the building's roof and claiming the lives of nine firefighters, authorities said. Firefighters, police officers and other rescue workers saluted as the firefighters' bodies were carried from the warehouse during the night.

Mourners gather near a memorial in front of the Sofa Super Store Tuesday June 19, 2007 in Charleston, S.C., after a fire claimed the lives of nine firefighters. Fire swept through a furniture warehouse, collapsing its roof and killing nine firefighters inside in a disaster the mayor described Tuesday as "difficult to fathom or quantify."

A firefighter from Charleston, S.C., kneels at a memorial in front of the rubble of the Sofa Super Store, Tuesday, June 19, 2007, in Charleston, S.C., after a fire in the store claimed the lives of nine firefighters.

Firefighters from Charleston, S.C., embrace in front of the rubble of the Sofa Super Store, Tuesday, June 19, 2007, in Charleston, S.C., after a fire in the store claimed the lives of nine firefighters.

Firefighters from Charleston, S.C., and surrounding areas take a break from sifting through the rubble of the Sofa Super Store Tuesday, June 19, 2007, in Charleston, after a fire in the store claimed the lives of nine firefighters.

The following compilation of photos provided Tuesday, June 19, 2007, by the City of Charleston, S.C. shows the nine firefighters killed in a fire in Charleston. Left to right, Bradford "Brad" Baity, 37, Capt. Mike Benke, 49, Melvin Champaign, 46.

Left to right, James "Earl" Drayton, 56, Michael French, 27, Capt. William "Billy" Hutchinson, 48.

Left to right, Mark Kelsey, 40, Capt. Louis Mulkey, 34, Brandon Thompson, 27. The death of the nine firefighters represents the nation's deadliest single day for firefighters since the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

A small statue sits on the sidewalk memorial in front of the furniture store Thursday, June 21, 2007 in Charleston, S.C., where nine firefighters were killed while fighting the a fire Monday.

Mourners embraces Thursday, June 21, 2007, at a make-shift memorial in front of the Charleston, S.C., furniture store where nine firefighters were killed battling a fire Monday.