Camden, SC (WLTX) - Law enforcement and families remembered the 77 lives lost in the Cleveland School Fire of 1923.
"It's a significant historical event, one that should never be forgotten," said William Major.
Firefighters and family members came to where a midlands school went up in flames back in 1923, killing 77 people at a school play.
"Each one of those roses were for one of my family members and I found it appropriate that they should be there and apart of the ceremony," said Major.
William Major laid 12 roses, but he says the thing he remembers most is the one who survived.
"Cousin Dot, that's the story of this tragedy, its life and prevention of future tragedies that's the story. "
That fire helped form some of the new national fire codes we have in our country today.
"The codes and changes that have happened have saved thousands of lives, so that's the story of this tragedy, life not death."
Major is grateful that because his mother...who was 1 year old at the time... was sick... So She could not go to the play and her life was saved.
"The whole family was quarantined, in those days farm families quarantined themselves if they had outbreaks, so they missed the tragedy because of illness."
As the actual fire truck that responded to the fire sits next to the memorial... Major says it should stand as a reminder.
"We should support all our firemen and all fire marshals and anything in anyway they can prevent a tragedy like this. "
