The procession for fallen firefighters Ken Rea and Ray Walter makes its way through Listowel, Ont.Frank Gunn
Two volunteer firefighters were remembered as heroes Thursday as thousands gathered in a small Ontario town to honour the men who died battling a blaze.
Premier Dalton McGuinty was among those paying tribute to Ray Walter, 30, and Ken Rea, 56, who died last week after a burning store collapsed on them.
Mr. McGuinty told the service that both men are "nothing less than heroes" who, when called to service, stepped forward and said "here I am, send me."
Hundreds of uniformed firefighters and police officers from across Ontario stood at attention as the flag-covered caskets were brought inside Memorial Arena in Listowel.
A friend of Mr. Walter's told the service that he had followed in his father's footsteps by becoming a volunteer firefighter.
He described Mr. Walter as a man dedicated to his community.
Outside, thousands of people lined the streets to watch the funeral procession that included a large red fire engine and a pipe and drum band.
Tracey Bowman, whose husband is a firefighter in nearby Milverton, said she wanted to show her support for the two men's families.
"It leaves a pit in your stomach by far, knowing this could be any one of our husbands or brothers or dads," she said. "It's an amazing feeling, seeing the overwhelming support from far and wide," she added.
The town northwest of Kitchener organized a black ribbon campaign honouring the firefighters. Routes into the community of about 6,000 are marked with the small flags of remembrance.
There was a minute of silence in the Ontario legislature earlier in the week for the two men and flags were flown at half-mast.
Several investigations are looking into the fire and the deaths of the two volunteers.