An Irmo firefighter died in the line of duty, Friday. after fighting an apartment fire in Columbia.
James Muller, 25, a firefighter with the Irmo Fire District died while fighting a fire at Tropical Ridge Apartments off of Stoneridge Drive in Columbia.

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Muller was taken to Prisma Health Richland where he was pronounced dead from his injuries in the fire, according to Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford.
Seven other firefighters were taken to the hospital, five from the Columbia-Richland Fire Department and two others from the Irmo Fire District.

The West Columbia Fire Department posted the following message on its Facebook page: “Our thoughts are with our Irmo Fire District family and the family of Michael Muller.”

Several people were rescued from the burning apartments and 19 people were displaced as a result of the fire. Some people from the building were also transported to the hospital.

The office of Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford released a statement that reads:
“Our hearts and prayers go out to the Columbia-Richland Fire Department, and the family of the loved ones of James Muller. We will continue working with the Columbia-Richland Fire Department to fully investigate this fire.”