Fire Museum eventually will incorporate tragedy in display

North Charleston's Fire Museum will one day incorporate the Charleston fire tragedy into its displays of fire apparatus and fire safety measures, city officials said Thursday.

"I'm certain it will become a part of our museum," Fire Museum Director Renee Frye said.

She and North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey said it's too soon to say specifically how the tragedy will be displayed after Monday's horrific furniture store fire in West Ashley that claimed the lives of nine Charleston firefighters.

"Everyone is looking forward to a nice memorial service (today)," Frye said.

Also, with tens of thousands of people expected to pay tribute to the firefighters during the memorial service at North Charleston Coliseum at 10 a.m. today, the nearby Fire Museum at 4975 Centre Pointe Drive will waive the usual $6 admission fee today and Saturday.

"It's our way of honoring the Charleston nine," Frye said.

The museum charts some of the most deadly fire disasters in U.S. history, and Summey said the city will ask a design team to add Monday's tragedy to the display.

"I think we need to consider what our options are so we can make a decision that will be the most meaningful long-term," Summey said. "It's just a little too soon. A lot of thought needs to go into it so whatever we do will be meaningful to the families of the fallen firefighters and all firefighters."

Summey said the museum, which houses displays on fire safety and history, a children's education area and a collection of antique firetrucks, is in North Charleston, but Charleston and other departments provided some of the displays and investment for the facility, which opened earlier this year.

"It is a fire museum in honor of all firefighters," he said.

The mayor said opening the facility free of charge for two days is a way for people to find comfort and learn about fire safety following the deadly blaze.

"With so many people looking to those firefighters as heroes, it's a great opportunity for them to look at the fire museum as an educational tool and a way for them to vent some of their frustration," Summey said.

"People don't understand why things happen. It will help them understand the training they go through and the equipment they wear. It's a wonderful educational tool for that."

Reach Warren Wise at 745-5850 or wwise@postandcourier.com.