Details For GA Fallen Firefighter's Memorial Released

ATLANTA, GA — A public memorial for DeKalb County Master Firefighter Preston Fant, who died while trying to save a fellow firefighter, is planned for this week.

DeKalb County officials on Monday said the memorial will be held Thursday at Truist Park, 755 Battery Ave. SE, in Cobb County. Fant will lie in state at 1 p.m., and a public memorial service will begin at 2 p.m., county officials said.

The memorial will be live-streamed via the county's broadcast channel for members of the public who are unable to attend in person, county officials said.

RELATED: Trapped DeKalb Firefighter Dies While Trying To Save Fellow Crew Member

Fant died on Sept. 8 after becoming trapped while trying to save a firefighter during a warehouse blaze in the 2500 block of South Stone Mountain Lithonia Road. He had been with DeKalb County Fire Rescue for 21 years.

As crews were attacking the flames, DeKalb County Fire Chief Darnell Fullum said Fant was "overcome by fire conditions," and operations were then switched to save Fant.

County officials said Fant was trying to rescue his fellow crew member when he became trapped.

His co-workers located him and removed him from the warehouse. However, Fant later died of his injuries at Grady Memorial Hospital, Fullum said.

"We lost an elite firefighter and a brother," the chief said. "I ask you to keep his wife and five children and his entire family, as well as the entire DeKalb County Fire Rescue, in your prayers and thoughts."