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2 June 2023
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Irmo fire fighter killed fighting apartment fire; seven other fire fighters injured, US
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A massive multi-alarm fire at an apartment complex in Columbia would result in one of the darkest days in recent years for the South Carolina fire service. One fire fighter with the Irmo Fire District (IFD) was killed and seven other firefighters were left injured while fighting the fire at Tropical Ridge apartments off of Stoneridge Drive. Crews were engaged in fire suppression efforts inside a building on the property when a structural collapse occurred on Friday, 26 May 2023, in Irmo, South Caroline in the US, according to the Columbia-Richland Fire Department. Irmo fire fighter James Michael Muller, aged 25 of Columbia, died from the injuries he suffered in the collapse and two other IFD fire fighters were also injured in the incident. Five firefighters with the Columbia-Richland Fire Department also suffered injuries as well as two civilian tenants of the apartment building.
Five Columbia fire fighters and one other Irmo fire fighter were taken to area hospitals, the Columbia department reported.
In all, roughly 20 fire trucks and more than 60 personnel became involved in the operation. Members of the West Columbia Fire Department, Cayce Fire Department, Richland County EMS and the Columbia Police Department also provided support on scene.
The fire was reported about 16h15 and multiple people were rescued, according to the Columbia Fire Department.
“Crews with both CRFD and the Irmo Fire District initially responded to the complex shortly before 16h15. Due to the size and scale of the fire, officers would quickly call for a 2nd Alarm not long after arriving on scene. A 3rd alarm was issued after a mayday was called following the structural collapse.”
The fire was ultimately extinguished and its cause is currently being investigated by CRFD with the assistance of SLED, South Carolina State Fire and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
“Our hearts and deepest sympathies go out to the friends, family and colleagues of Firefighter Muller as well as those fire fighters who were injured and all in our community who are in mourning following this devastating incident. We deeply thank our citizens for their prayers and support in these difficult days”, the Columbia-Richland Fire Department said in its statement.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to our partners at Irmo Fire District and our many dedicated fire fighters following this tragic day,” the department posted on Twitter.
The department has said it is investigating the cause of the blaze with assistance from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the Columbia Police Department and the South Carolina Division of Fire and Life Safety.
Source: The Columbia-Richland Fire Department
Five Columbia fire fighters and one other Irmo fire fighter were taken to area hospitals, the Columbia department reported.
In all, roughly 20 fire trucks and more than 60 personnel became involved in the operation. Members of the West Columbia Fire Department, Cayce Fire Department, Richland County EMS and the Columbia Police Department also provided support on scene.
The fire was reported about 16h15 and multiple people were rescued, according to the Columbia Fire Department.
“Crews with both CRFD and the Irmo Fire District initially responded to the complex shortly before 16h15. Due to the size and scale of the fire, officers would quickly call for a 2nd Alarm not long after arriving on scene. A 3rd alarm was issued after a mayday was called following the structural collapse.”
The fire was ultimately extinguished and its cause is currently being investigated by CRFD with the assistance of SLED, South Carolina State Fire and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
“Our hearts and deepest sympathies go out to the friends, family and colleagues of Firefighter Muller as well as those fire fighters who were injured and all in our community who are in mourning following this devastating incident. We deeply thank our citizens for their prayers and support in these difficult days”, the Columbia-Richland Fire Department said in its statement.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to our partners at Irmo Fire District and our many dedicated fire fighters following this tragic day,” the department posted on Twitter.
The department has said it is investigating the cause of the blaze with assistance from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the Columbia Police Department and the South Carolina Division of Fire and Life Safety.
Source: The Columbia-Richland Fire Department
