Two volunteer firefighters killed in Listowel, Ont.

LISTOWEL, Ont. – Police and dozens of firefighters stood at attention this afternoon as the bodies of two fallen volunteer firemen were removed from a burned dollar store in Listowel.

About 100 members of the public gathered outside the building where 56-year-old Kenneth Rea and 30-year-old Raymond Walter died during a blaze Thursday.

Rea’s widow says her husband was a family man who died doing what he loved.

"He was very family oriented; he loved his kids; he loved family," Louise Rea told local radio station AM980 on Friday.

"He loved the fire department – that was his life."

The store in Listowel, about an hour northwest of the southwestern Ontario city of Kitchener, was open for business when the fire started about 3:30 p.m.

Witnesses say people were spotted running inside to warn shoppers to get out.

Louise Rea said the men couldn’t be rescued before the roof collapsed.

"They just told me that it happened real quick," she said of learning her husband was dead.

In all his years as a firefighter, Rea – who rose through the ranks to become deputy district chief for the Atwood station – had never had a close call, his wife said.

The Ontario Fire Marshal’s office has brought in a structural engineer to advise on how to safely recover the bodies.

North Perth Mayor Julie Behrns and Premier Dalton McGuinty expressed condolences Thursday night.

Both spoke about the selfish dedication of those who put their lives at risk to voluntarily fight fires.

"I know that I am speaking on behalf of the whole community of North Perth when I say how saddened we are as a community … to share this tragic loss," Behrns said.

"We thank all of our volunteer firefighters and their families for their dedication protecting us."

McGuinty said Rea and Walter’s deaths should serve as a reminder to everyone not to take for granted the sacrifice for their communities men and women like them make.

"Our volunteer firefighters take time away from their families to keep us safe," McGuinty said.

"We rely on their selflessness, and (the) tragedy is a solemn reminder that we must never take their sacrifices for granted."

Witnesses say the fire appeared to start on the roof of the building, where work may have been taking place.

Police say the two firefighters were unaccounted for for a short time later.

A search of the building revealed the worst — the men lay dead inside, having succumbed to their injuries.