Preston Fant Dies in Line of Duty During Lithonia, Georgia Warehouse Fire – September 9, 2025

On September 9, 2025, in Lithonia, Georgia, Master Firefighter Preston Fant, 53, died from injuries sustained while attempting to rescue a fellow firefighter during a commercial warehouse fire. Fant was among 32 firefighters responding to the structure fire when he became trapped inside the building. Though he was pulled out and given immediate medical aid, he succumbed to his injuries after being transported to the hospital.

Fant had served with the DeKalb County Fire Rescue Department for 21 years and was stationed at Fire Station 24. He was trained in multiple specialized rescue disciplines, including high-rise and swift water operations. Officials have confirmed he is the first DeKalb County firefighter to die in the line of duty while actively battling a fire. An investigation into the cause of the fire remains ongoing.