N.C. Firefighters Mourn S.C. Victims

June 19, 2007
Firefighters in the Piedmont-Triad are among those remembering the victims of a deadly fire in South Carolina.

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Firefighters in the Piedmont-Triad are among those remembering the victims of a deadly fire in South Carolina.

Nine Charleston, S.C., firefighters died fighting a Monday evening blaze at a furniture warehouse, according to authorities.

A fire safety group said the fire is the deadliest disaster for the firefighting community since 340 firefighters died in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Firefighters from locations such as Midway talked about the brotherhood of firefighters.

"They were there doing what they loved to do," one firefighter said of the victims. "They gave the ultimate sacrifice."

Firefighters like Steve Vest, Kevin Alphin and Scott Leonard, who have been fighting fires for a combined 55 years, said firefighting is teamwork. When one teammate is in trouble, the other firefighters go to the rescue. They said that might have been what happened in Charleston.

Since 1981, 78 North Carolina firefighters have lost their lives battling fires. Virginia has lost 50 firefighters during that time frame.

Use the video link above for more from WXII 12's Margaret Johnson.

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