Two more firefighter families file lawsuits

The families of two more Charleston firefighters killed in the Sofa Super Store blaze are suing the store's owner, several furniture manufacturers and other companies, alleging the businesses were negligent in the deaths.

The wrongful death lawsuits were recently filed in Charleston County by the families of Assistant Engineer Michael French and Firefighter Brandon Thompson. Both families are represented by Summerville attorney David Whittington, who did not return a call Monday seeking comment.

So far, relatives of eight of the nine firefighters killed in the June 18, 2007, fire have filed lawsuits in connection with the blaze. Also suing are the families of Engineer Brad Baity, Capt. Mike Benke, Firefighter Melvin Champaign, Firefighter James "Earl" Drayton, Capt. William "Billy" Hutchinson and Capt. Louis Mulkey. Engineer Mark Kelsey also died in the blaze, but no lawsuit has been filed on his behalf.

The lawsuits target the West Ashley store's owner, the manufacturers of the furniture in the store, a building contractor and the companies that built the fire doors that investigators later determined had malfunctioned.

The suits don't name the city or its Fire Department as defendants, although Mayor Joe Riley and former Fire Chief Rusty Thomas were subpoenaed in October as part of the Champaign lawsuit, the first to be filed.

Sofa store attorney Richard Rosen could not be reached for comment Monday. In response to the previous suits, Rosen said the store's owners have worked since the fire to ensure that a similar tragedy never occurs and have cooperated in every step of the investigations.

An investigative report released in May by a city-appointed consulting panel found that the actions of the Fire Department and the store contributed to the deaths.

Lawyers involved in a web of lawsuits surrounding the fire met last month at an undisclosed location as part of a court-recommended mediation process. The goal of the sessions was to determine whether a settlement is possible and what the dollar amount might be. The sessions were private, and the attorneys involved would not discuss whether progress was made in resolving the suits.

For more information, read Tuesday's Post and Courier.