Last June 18, nine Charleston firefighters walked out of their homes for the last time.

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- "June 18 was the worst day of my life."

That's how Michael Campbell feels about the day he lost his best friend in the world -- Michael French.

Many throughout this southern city are feeling the same way today. Their lives will never be the same.

Last June 18, nine Charleston firefighters walked out of their homes for the last time.

They met their untimely deaths as they fought a furniture store fire.

Now, Captains Billy Hutchinson, Mike Benke, and Louis Mulkey; Engineers Mark Kelsey and Brad Baity, Assistant Engineer Michael French; and Firefighters Earl Drayton, Melvin Champaign and Brandon Thompson are part of Charleston's history.

Raised in the same family, Campbell and French shared a multitude of interests, including fishing and fighting fires.

Their bond was tight.

Campbell, who went back to fighting fires in Charleston after the tragic incident, said he had a numb feeling in his gut when he learned that several firefighters were missing while battling the Sofa Super Store.

Even though a television clip showed French with a two-and-a-half inch line, Campbell said he just knew. "I can't explain it. I knew ..."

After dropping off his parents at a nearby fire station to wait with other families, Campbell headed to the scene where firefighters were searching and removing their colleagues.

He waited.

When French was carried out, Campbell was at his side. "I had to walk him out --to take him to the truck."

Campbell said he knew nothing or no one would be able to keep "Frenchie" out of the building, especially if he knew his buddy, Brandon Thompson, was in danger.

Thompson, Campbell and French volunteered in their communities. French was a captain at Pine Ridge Fire Company's substation in New Hope, while Thompson was a captain at the main station.

The firefighting trio was often referred to as "The Magnificent 3."

That fateful day changed lives forever.

Since their lives were so intertwined, there's no escape. The memories are there whether he's at work or home.

He's lost interest in some of the activities the two enjoyed -- like fishing.

"When I pull in, Mikey would be hooking up the boat. He'd be ready to head out. I haven't been out in that boat. I have no desire whatsoever. Until a few weeks ago, I hadn't even been fishing."

He and his family have kept abreast of every aspect of the investigation -- the reports, the shouts for change.