Review: No Criminal Charges in Charleston LODDs

Feb. 4, 2011
The findings make it likely that criminal charges will not be pursued against anyone connected to the blaze, including members of the fire department.
CHARLESTON, S.C. -- A review by the State Law Enforcement Division has found that issues raised in events leading to the Sofa Super Store blaze that killed nine Charleston firefighters in 2007 do not warrant a criminal investigation.

Read Solicitor's Letter | Read SLED's Letter

The findings make it likely that criminal charges will not be pursued against anyone connected to the blaze, including members of the fire department.

"It is my understanding that the Charleston Police Department concurs with SLED’s findings and that no warrants will be sought by either agency for General Sessions prosecution," Ninth Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson said in a letter released today.

Wilson requested the review last year after meeting with relatives of two fallen firefighters, according to The Post and Courier.

Family members of captains Louis Mulkey and William Hutchinson gave her materials they claim prove fire department commanders exposed crews to unnecessary and deadly risks due to insufficient training and leadership, according to the report.

The family members maintain that actions constitute criminal negligence.

Other victims' family members don't share the same perspective.

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