Fire that Killed 9 Firefighters Cost Charleston, S.C. $7.4 Million

Records obtained by a Charleston, South Carolina, newspaper show the city has spent or plans to spend more than $7.4 million after the fire that killed nine firefighters last year.

The Post and Courier of Charleston reported that it obtained the information through a Freedom of Information Act request.

The money comes from funds budgeted after the June 18 fire, emergency reserves and $228,000 a local businessman donated for new uniforms.

The city has raised property taxes for the first time since 1999 because of the costs.

The city has spent about $3.6 million for staffing, equipment and training improvements in the fire department.

A city-appointed panel recommended some 200 changes after the fire. The most expensive items include dozens of new positions for firefighters, officers and dispatchers.

___

Information from: The Post and Courier,
http://www.charleston.net