09/11/2025
On Monday afternoon, nearly three dozen firefighters battled a large warehouse fire in Lithonia, Georgia. During the operation, DeKalb County Master Firefighter Preston Fant attempted to rescue one of his colleagues when he himself became trapped and overcome by fire conditions. Preston was pulled from the structure by other firefighters, who immediately began to render first aid. He was rushed to Grady Memorial Hospital but was unable to be saved.
Master Firefighter Preston Fant was a 21-year veteran of the DeKalb County Fire Rescue, and leaves behind a wife and five children. He was remembered by his colleagues as both a great firefighter and a great family man. Preston was assigned to Fire Station 24 in Stone Mountain and was part of a special group that are not only firefighters, but who also maintained technical skills to include swift water, high-rise and trench rescues. Master Firefighter Fant was deeply respected by his teammates and was a father figure to many at his firehouse. He was 53-years old.
