Mayor, Charleston Fire Department and Charleston West Virginia Firefighters Local 317 Remember Those Lost in Woolworth Fire

Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin today joined the Charleston Fire Department and Charleston West Virginia Firefighters Local 317 to commemorate the anniversary of the Woolworth Building fire with a moment of silence, bell ringing and wreath laying.

“Today, we honor the memory of the seven firefighters who lost their lives protecting our city in 1949. The impact of this tremendous loss is still felt today,” said Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin.  “Our firefighters stand ready, day and night, knowing they must always be ready at a moment’s notice. We are truly thankful for the service and sacrifice of the men and women of our Charleston Fire Department.” 

“The Woolworth Fire is the largest loss of life for the Charleston Fire Department, and we gather today to honor our fallen brothers,” said Chief Shawn Wanner. “We have an extraordinary team at the Charleston Fire Department, and we are honored to protect this city and its people.”

Woolworth’s, located on the corner of Quarrier and Capitol streets, caught fire in the early morning hours of March 4, 1949. While battling the blaze, seven members of the Charleston Fire Department lost their lives and at least 15 additional firefighters were injured, two critically. It was the biggest casualty count for a fire department on a blaze in the United States at the time and remains the largest loss of life for the Charleston Fire Department. The names of the seven firemen were memorialized on a bronze marker that still hangs on the building that now stands at the location where they died.