The town of Moulton, Ala., is mourning two firemen who died in the line of duty Tuesday evening.
More than six fire departments responded when a fire erupted at the Outdoor Parts and Service Store. But, as crews doused hot spots, a wall collapsed, killing Moulton Assistant Fire Chief Lloyd McCulloch and firefighter Justin Jones.
The state fire marshal's office said it will investigate the incident.
In the United States, about 100 firefighters die in the line of duty each year.
Six years ago, Center Point firefighter Rickey Davis was killed while fighting a house fire. For many of his friends and coworkers, news of two firefighters dying in Moulton brought back a lot of bad memories.
Center Point Battalion Chief Robert Van Hooser gave some insight into what Moulton firefighters are going through. A firefighter for 25 years, Van Hooser said people in his profession keep a stark reality always in the back of their minds.
"Every day we come to work, we know it could be the last time we see our wives, kids, girlfriend, whomever -- moms and dads -- but it's the business we're in," Van Hooser said.
Davis' death was a difficult blow in a business in which coworkers are more like families.
"You become close. You become friends. You become family. And, in that sense, in doing that, it's like brothers, sisters, moms and dads," Van Hooser said.
Van Hooser said the upcoming days and weeks will be hard for the fallen firefighters' colleagues. People who spent hours eating, sleeping and working together might be haunted by questions that have no good answers.
"Even as firefighters, yes, we do question, 'Why wasn't it me? Well I should have been there to do this or that,'" Van Hooser said.
Over time, the pain will fade, but Van Hooser said it is more important for Moulton firefighters to know that their friends were taken from this earth for a purpose.
"Keep your heads up. Know there is a purpose. We may not know what, but to continue to go out and do the job helping and assisting people in your community," Van Hooser said.
Because there is such a family dynamic among firefighters, departments across the state are reaching out to the Moulton Fire Department. Many have offered counselors and manpower to help them in their time of need.
Previous Stories:
- February 22, 2006: Two Alabama Firefighters Killed When Wall Collapses
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