A kitchen stove started the fire that ultimately killed Irmo firefighter James Michael Muller, with the cause of the blaze having been ruled an accident.

The Columbia-Richland Fire Department issued a release June 6 detailing that the investigation into the massive multi-alarm fire May 26 at Columbia’s Tropical Ridge apartment complex, during which Muller was killed in a structural collapse, was “caused by unattended cooking materials.”

“The investigation into the origin and cause of the fire has now been completed and it has been determined that the fire started around a stove in the kitchen area of one of the apartments,” the release states.

The release calls the blaze a three-alarm fire and notes that the investigation into the cause of the fire started immediately following the response by firefighters from both the Columbia and Irmo departments. The two fire departments have long had an aid agreement that calls for them to help across city and county lines when the necessity arises. 

The Columbia Police Department, the state Law Enforcement Division , S.C. State Fire and the state Fire Marshal’s Office, S.C. Task Force 1 and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) National Response Team helped with the investigation.

“Given the tremendous impact of the fire, the injuries that several firefighters suffered and the loss of Irmo Firefighter James Muller’s life – our department wanted to have the most resources available to us as we conducted the investigation,” the release states. 

“This included resources that were used to sustain the structural integrity of the building where the fire took place so the investigation could be performed thoroughly and safely. Through our federal partners, several cranes and other tools were brought onto the site to accomplish this objective.”

The release notes that efforts to understand the circumstances surrounding the fire are ongoing.

“Going forward our department will continue to provide resources, information and support to other agencies that will investigate circumstances surrounding the fatal fire and the line of duty death of Firefighter Muller,” the release states. “This includes the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Investigations like this also typically take place following a firefighter line of duty death.

Muller was the first firefighter in the state to lose his life in the line of duty this year and the first firefighter in the history of the Irmo Fire District, which dates back 1963, to lose his life in the line.

The loss hit the Irmo department hard. Its firefighters were sidelined for more than a week, resuming work June 3 after being allowed time to deal with the tragedy by various other departments, who took over covering their area during that time.

“The support from the community has been amazing. Thank you all for lifting us up when we needed it the most,” the department posted to Facebook June 3. “Today we are still hurting, but we are strong and we are here for you.”

In the release, Columbia Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins notes that his department will continue to provide information and resources into all investigations related to the May 26 fire.

“While it has been determined that this fire was accidental in nature, the impact it caused is no less deep and tragic,” he is quoted. “Our hearts continue to be with Firefighter Muller’s family and friends, our partners at Irmo Fire District and all who continue to mourn during this difficult time.”