Two Alabama firefighters killed Tuesday night while battling a blaze at an old lumber company will be laid to rest on Saturday.
Capt. Lloyd McCulloch, 63, and Firefighter Dusty Jones, 23. were hitting hot spots when a concrete wall collapsed, killing them instantly. Another firefighter was hit, but was dug out and walked away unscathed, said Moulton Firefighter Shonn Proctor. .
The firefighters were pronounced dead at the scene by a Lawrence County coroner.
In a televised interview at the scene with a local television reporter, McCulloch had talked about the dangers of firefighting, remarking how they were lucky that no one had been hurt.
He and Jones were killed a short time later as they sprayed water on a wall.
The cause of the blaze in the old building that housed a lawn parts and repair shop, remains under investigation by the state fire marshal's office.>
Capt. McCulloch was a 42-year veteran and married, while Jones, who was single, had been with the Moulton Fire Department for a little more than four years.
Alabama Representative John Letson said the deaths have affected the entire community. "It's truly a sad day for our county, the families, everyone."
Letson said he's known McCulloch for many, many years. "He was a businessman in Moulton. He owned a furniture store. What a really nice guy..."
He described Jones as a fine, young man. Reports indicate that Jones decided to become a volunteer firefighter after being burned in a fire several years ago.
McCulloch's son-in-law is the fire chief. Proctor said both men were dedicated to the fire company and community. The firefighters are believed to be the first in Lawrence County to die in the duty.
Firefighters from around the region have offered to standby while Moulton personnel deal with their grief.
Visitation for Jones will be held from 6-9 p.m. Friday at Elliott Funeral Home. Funeral services are set for 11 a.m. Saturday at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.
Visitation for McCulloch will be held from 1-3:30 p.m. Saturday at Parkway Funeral Home in Trinity. Funeral services will begin at 3:30 p.m.
McCulloch's interview can be seen on WHNT-TV
