Report again criticizes Charleston fire department

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — A new report concludes Charleston firefighters made similar mistakes at a fire last year that they did in a 2007 furniture store fire that claimed nine lives.

The Post and Courier of Charleston reports (http://bit.ly/AsQhmFjm ) no one was killed in the fire last year in a Daniel Island building.

But a review by Charleston firefighters and those from surrounding areas found that fire crews rushed into the building with undersized hoses, no thermal imaging camera and not enough water. Similar findings were reported following the 2007 fire at the Sofa Super Store in which nine firefighters died.

Interim Charleston Fire Chief Frank Finley says there are glaring similarities between the fires. Deputy Chief John Trippett says it’s a challenge getting firefighters to change the way they were originally trained.

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Information from: The Post and Courier, http://www.postandcourier.com