A memorial honoring the nine South Carolina firefighters who died in the line of duty 13 years ago has been vandalized.
Crosses and flags were damaged and removed from the Charleston 9 Memorial Park, which commemorates the nine Charleston firefighters who died in the Super Sofa Store fire on June 18, 2007, the department said in an online update. At least one flag also was burned.
The vandalism was discovered by a police officer shortly after 1:30 a.m. Friday, WCBD-TV reports. Nine PVC memorial crosses had been ripped from the ground, and memorials for Capt. Louis Mulkey and Capt. William Hutchinson were damaged.
A gallon container that smelled of gasoline also was discovered near the road.
Fire Chief Dan Curia and Charleston police will be at the memorial site at 12:30 p.m. Friday. Anyone with information about the incident should call Crime Stoppers of the Lowcountry at (843) 554-1111.
