CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — “It was his life and it took his life,” Paula Kelsey of Washington said Tuesday of her son Mark Kelsey.
The 1985 Washington High School graduate was one of nine firefighters who died in a furniture store fire late Monday evening in Charleston, S.C.
Kelsey, 40, was an engineer with the Charleston Fire Department. Paula Kelsey said her son started firefighting in the Navy and had been on the Charleston force for 11 years. He was also a captain on the Ashley River Volunteer Fire Department.
“He loved what he did,” Mrs. Kelsey said Tuesday as she traveled to Charleston with Mark’s two brothers, Lee and Tom, also Washington residents. “He died a hero. Fifteen firefighters went in and nine came out in body bags.”
Paula Kelsey said it was a fear she had lived with for years, but fighting fires was what her son wanted to do. She said preliminary plans were to return Mark Kelsey to Washington for services and burial following a service in Charleston.
The other eight firefighters were also being remembered by family, friends and coworkers Tuesday.
Local News
Related Photos
-
In this undated photo provided by the City of Charleston, Engineer Mark Kelsey, is shown. Fire swept through a furniture warehouse, Monday collapsing its roof and killing Kelsey and eight other firefighters inside the nation's deadliest single disaster for firefighters since the Sept. 11 terror attacks---AP Photo.
Discussion
Job he loved took his life, Washington native dies fighting fire
- Local News
-
-
Seidel crowned WC's homecoming queen
Madison Seidel, daughter of Jane and Richard Seidel of Washington, was crowned 2012 Washington Catholic Homecoming Queen at the Birdcage on Saturday.
-
Car becomes stuck on railroad tracks; driver cited
Kevin Michael Williams, 5303 S. Alexander Rd., was cited for disregarding a stop sign after a 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier he was driving became stuck on CSX railroad tracks in Washington near the Daviess County Chamber of Commerce. Tri-County Towing removed the vehicle at 5:41 p.m. after CSX officials had been contacted.
-
Schnitzelbank has No. 1 sandwich in Indiana
Indianapolis had a great time hosting the Super Bowl and although most of the attention appeared to be focused on all things Brady, Manning and Manning (sounds like a law firm), however, we know the star that shined the brightest was the Indiana Super 46 sandwich contest.
-
Messmer in Washington to discuss current legislation
District 63 State Rep. Mark Messmer (R-Jasper) held a town hall meeting Monday at Washington City Council Chambers to discuss current legislation passed by the Indiana House of Representatives, to answer questions from constituents and to hear their concerns.
One bill of local interest that has passed through the House is HB 1149, the smoking ban. It would prohibit smoking in public places, enclosed places of employment and within 12 feet of a public entrance to those places. It also would prohibit smoking in certain state vehicles if signed into law. -
Messmer hears concerns
District 63 State Rep. Mark Messmer (R-Jasper) held a town hall meeting Monday at Washington City Council Chambers to discuss current legislation passed by the Indiana House of Representatives, to answer questions from constituents and to hear their concerns.
-
Car finds railroad tracks
Kevin Michael Williams, 5303 S. Alexander Rd., was cited for disregarding a stop sign after a 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier he was driving became stuck on CSX railroad tracks in Washington near the Daviess County Chamber of Commerce. Tri-County Towing removed the vehicle at 5:41 p.m. after CSX officials had been contacted.
-
Pierce named B-R Homecoming Queen
Rebekah Pierce, daughter of Russell and Beth Pierce of Washington, was crowned 2012 Homecoming Queen at Barr-Reeve High School on Friday.
-
ND crowns Steffey, McAtee
Anthony Steffey, son of Jim and Bridgette Steffey, and Shelby McAtee, daughter of Ron and Lynn Cox, were crowned Homecoming King and Queen at North Daviess High School on Friday.
-
Car causes garage fire on Edwardsport Road
A car caught fire at the home belonging to Robert Wichman at 5295N 100W.
-
Washington native on short list for Indiana Supreme Court
Washington native the Honorable Maria D. Granger is one of 15 under consideration to fill a vacancy on the Indiana Supreme Court.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Raw Video: Giants Celebrate Another Super Bowl
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Greek Leaders Seek Deal As Bankruptcy Looms
Bernanke: Recovery Depends on Consumer Spending
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Eastwood in Super Bowl Ad 'Compassionate'
Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay
Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
