The Fallen Heros

Here are their names, as heard by the Firehouse.com News staff.
Years of service follow each name.

Capt. William "Billy" Hutchinson
Age: 48
Years with department: 30
Capt. Mike Benke
Age: 49
Years with department: 29 years
Capt. Louis Mulkey
Age: 34
Years with department: 11 1/2 years
Engineer Mark Kelsey
Age: 40
Years with department: 12 1/2 years
Engineer Bradford "Brad" Baity
Age: 37
Years with department: 9
Assistant Engineer Michael French
Age: 27
Years with department: 1 1/2 years
Firefighter James "Earl" Drayton
Age: 56
Years with department: 32 years
Firefighter Brandon Thompson
Age: 27
Years with department: Four years
Firefighter Melven Champaign
Age: 46
Years with department: Two years

A fund has been established for the fallen firefighters.
Donations can be sent to:
The City of Charleston Firemen's Fund,
P.O. Box 304,
Charleston, SC, 29402