Two 'Charleston 9' Families Seek Criminal Charges for Commanders

A team of South Carolina Law Enforcement Division agents is currently reviewing records from the Sofa Super Store blaze for signs of criminal negligence on the part of fire commanders, according to The Charleston Post and Courier.

Nine Charleston firefighters perished in the inferno on June 18, 2007.

According to the report, family members of fallen captains Louis Mulkey and William Hutchinson gave Ninth Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson eight binders of materials they say prove that commanders exposed fire crews to unnecessary and deadly risks.

The families are pushing the SLED to reopen the criminal investigation and conduct an independent inquiry into the actions of former Fire Chief Rusty Thomas and others.

Previous reports have faulted the actions of commanders but haven't touched on whether those actions rose to the level of criminality.

"Those men were set up to be killed," Louis' father, Mike Mulkey. said. "We're just looking for justice and accountability here."