Authorities say a firefighter died and several others were hurt while putting out an apartment fire, and a number of agencies are now looking into the incident.
The Richland County Coroner said at a news conference on Friday night that Irmo firefighter James Muller, 25, died while battling the blaze at Tropical Ridge Apartments off Stoneridge Drive in Columbia.
The location was visited by crews from the Irmo and Columbia-Richland Fire Departments on Friday afternoon.
The six additional firefighters’ injuries are unknown at this time.
The fire also forced over two dozen locals out of their houses.
Investigations are being conducted by the Columbia Police, SLED, and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
It is yet unknown what started the fire.
This story is still developing.