Strategies and Tactics of Charleston SC Super Sofa Fire (June18,2007) Research Paper

Strategies and Tactics of Charleston SC Super Sofa Fire (June18,2007) - Research Paper Example It was reported as the greatest single loss of firefighters since the bombing incident of the World Trade Center in September 11, 2001 (Newman, 2010). It is believed that the fire started shortly before 7pm, well within the working hours of the store. This is also a time when there is significant traffic outside the store. The staff of the store believed that the fire started in the trash outside the loading dock and quickly spread inside loading dock, then to the retail showroom and the annexed warehouse are thereafter. The first call reporting the fire was made to Charleston Fire Department at around 7:08 pm and units were dispatched a minute later. It took the approximately three minutes to arrive at the scene, an admirable response time. Another battalion from the St. Andrews Public Service District arrived at the scene a minute later to reinforce the initial team. On arrival they observed that there was a trash and debris fire against the docking area wall. A team entered the showroom but they didn’t observe any obvious fire other than smoke and light at the ceiling tiles where the fire was burning form outside. It has been noted that the Incident Commander opened the door from the dock area leading the showroom prompting an inrush of oxygen which aggravated the fire to enter the showroom. It is thought that the fire’s fury made it impossible for the commander to close the door to prevent the fire from engulfing the showroom. It is also suggested that the fire was slowly burning due to lack of oxygen in the dock area but the sudden influx of oxygen made it possible for the fire to migrate to the mail retail showroom (Newman, 2010). Approximately forty five minutes later the fire is still razing and a flashover occurs. The interior of the showroom erupts into a fireball and collapse sending ashes and debris all over the area. The fire is brought under control four hour later but in those four hours six firefighters from the Charleston had