After work tonight, as I was on my way back from my first follow-up weigh in at MUSC, I saw a massive column of black smoke over West Ashley. I drove down Highway 17 until I was met with police cars blocking the road.

At this point, I could see that a local sofa store was the source of the smoke. Flames lept from the roof of the building. It was an incredible scene. Over the next few hours, as firefighters struggled to bring the fire under control, the news went from bad to worse: the building collapsed, trapping several firefighters inside. At this moment, they are believed lost. UPDATE: Nine firefighters died fighting the fire, making it the deadliest single fire incident for firefighters since September 11, 2001.

It is this kind of tragedy that these people face every day, while we go about our lives so often pretending that we’re the ones who have it rough.

The next time you see a firefighter, or a paramedic, or a cop, thank them. It’s the least you can do.