Virus leads to private memorial for 9 SC firefighters

This year's ceremony to remember nine South Carolina firefighters killed battling a 2007 furniture store blaze will be closed to the public. Photo: Associated Press/Associated Press


CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — This year’s ceremony to remember nine South Carolina firefighters killed battling a 2007 furniture store blaze will be closed to the public. Charleston Fire Department officials say to keep people safe from COVID-19, they will livestream the memorial program on Facebook starting at 7 p.m. Friday. The nine Charleston firefighters died inside the Sofa Superstore when the blaze spread faster than expected and other firefighters broke store windows That allowed the fire to rapidly intensify. The site of the store on U.S. Highway 17 was turned into the Charleston 9 Memorial Park.

News

3 days ago in Sports, Trending

Jalen Hurts and the Eagles win their second NFC East title in a row by beating the Commanders 29-18

As the percussive horns of Stevie Wonder's "Sir Duke" filled the air, Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni — wearing a black T-shirt bearing the words, "Been there, won that" — made the rounds in the locker room, offering hand clasps and back slaps to his players after they accomplished something that hadn't happened in two decades: win a second consecutive NFC East title.

3 days ago in Entertainment

‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ launches with $88M domestically, $345M worldwide

"Avatar: Fire and Ash" opened with $345 million in worldwide sales, according to studio estimates Sunday, notching the second-best global debut of the year and potentially putting James Cameron on course to set yet more blockbuster records.

3 days ago in Entertainment, Trending

Pop culture in 2025: A ring for Taylor, an ill-timed KissCam … and whatever ‘6-7’ means

From the inexplicable to the familiar, here's our annual, highly selective journey down pop culture memory lane.

3 days ago in National

Hundreds mourn Brown University sophomore Ella Cook, killed in campus shooting

A Brown University sophomore who was killed in an attack at the Rhode Island university was remembered Monday as "smart, confident, curious, kind, principled, brave," at a funeral in her home state of Alabama.