DECATUR, Ga. - DeKalb County is asking the public to support the family of Master Firefighter Preston Fant, who died in the line of duty on Monday while battling a commercial warehouse fire in Stone Mountain.

The backstory:

Fant, 53, was a 21-year veteran of DeKalb County Fire Rescue. He served at Fire Station 24 and was part of an elite unit specializing in swift water rescues, high-rise operations and trench rescues. He is the first DeKalb firefighter to die while actively fighting a fire.

County officials shared a GoFundMe link this week , noting that many residents wanted to help beyond the benefits and support already provided by the state and county. Fant leaves behind his wife, five children, extended family and his colleagues in the fire department.

What they're saying:

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