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By CHRISTY LEMIRE
Associated Press Writer

LAKE WORTH, Texas (AP) -- Phillip Dean, a firefighter and Sunday school teacher, was looking forward to the birth of his first child this week.

Brian Collins ROVFD Photo Courtesy Fort Worth Star-Telegram Phillip Dean ROVFD Photo Courtesy Fort Worth Star-Telegram Gary Sanders Family Photo Courtesy Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Brian Collins, who taught children about fire safety, was a father of two, with his wife due to deliver a third this summer. Gary Sanders learned everything he could about firefighting, and at age 19 already had two years of experience under his belt.

All three died Monday in a three-alarm blaze at a Lake Worth church that investigators believe was caused by arson. In the smoky haze of the smoldering remains, moist-eyed firefighters struggled to balance their sense of duty with an agonizing feeling of loss.

``It's something that is going to obviously take a toll on many departments, not just ours,'' said Lt. Kent Worley of the Fort Worth Fire Department. ``The brotherhood and sisterhood is such that we all lost a family member, irregardless of which department they are from.''

Two of the men -- Collins, 35, and Dean, 29 -- were Fort Worth firefighters who were volunteering for the nearby River Oaks department on their day off. Collins was a 14-year veteran, and Dean a 6-year veteran.

Sanders, the youngest of the three, worked for the Sansom Park Fire Department.

They died when the roof of the nondenominational Precious Faith Church, located about 35 miles west of Dallas, collapsed on top of them.

Four other firefighters were hospitalized with minor injuries. Three of them were trying to extinguish flames on the roof when it caved underneath them.

Family and friends of the victims gathered in a parking lot across the street from the church to hug, cry and console each other. Church members also grieved the loss of their church, which they built themselves 38 years ago in a neighborhood of small, modest homes.

Pastor J.C. Terry said he worried at first about the church. But his thoughts quickly turned to the men who gave their lives trying to save it.

``We can rebuild a building,'' Terry said, choking back tears. ``We can't bring back a life.''

Related Links

• Post Letters of Condolence Here
  
• River Oaks, TX Fire Department Home Page
  
• Fort Worth Star-Telegram Article
  
• Star Telegram: Three firefighters linked by passion for service
  
• Star-Telegram Editorial
  
• WFAA-TV: Extensive story and photos
  
• Dallas Morning News article about the incident
  
• Dallas Morning News article about the families of the victims
  
• Fort Worth IAFF Local #440
  
• KXAS-TV: Extensive story and photos from the scene and of the victims
  
• City of Lake Worth Home Page
  
• KTVT-TV Images w/Brief (may expire)