The Woolworth Fire - 1949: ; They Gave All; 'Suddenly, Without Warning, a Whole Section of the Floor . . . Gave Way Plunging Seven Firemen Into Roaring Flames Below'

Summary

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Seven Charleston Fire Department firefighters who died in the F.W. Woolworth department store blaze 60 years ago were remembered Wednesday in ceremonies at the scene of the fire and at Spring Hill Cemetery.

The fire, which broke out sometime before 4 a.m. on March 4, 1949, was first detected by Charleston Policeman Wayne Casdorph, who smelled smoke and noticed an eerie, milky color coming from a window of the store while walking his beat along Capitol Street. The patrolman rushed to a nearby alarm box and reported the fire. Two firetrucks and their crews from the old Elizabeth Street Fire Station were initially sent to respond to the blaze.

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The Woolworth Fire - 1949: ; They Gave All; 'Suddenly, Without Warning, a Whole Section of the Floor . . . Gave Way Plunging Seven Firemen Into Roaring Flames Below'

"The fire was very deceptive in size," said M.G. Boggess, president of Charleston Firefighters Local 317, during the memorial service held at the 205 Capitol St. site of the blaze....

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