DAVIDSON COUNTY, N.C. — Lexington firefighters shared new details about the death of one of its own.
The fire department said the house fire where Captain Ronnie Metcalf was hurt had near zero visibility when the team was ordered to evacuate.
Captain Metcalf could not get out. A rescue team saved him, but he later died.
The fire department is still piecing together everything that happened that day. In the meantime, his family's support has not wavered.
Brittany Childers has worked in Denton at The Classic Restaurant for four years.
"I've seen them do a lot of good things for the community," Childers said.
The Classic has employees who work for the Lexington Fire Department, so they've been looking for ways to help after Captain Ronnie Metcalf died in a fire in March.
Metcalf's death hit many Southern Davidson County fire departments hard.
He worked alongside many of them for years, like Denton fire department Chief Ronnie Cook, who's helping to put on a benefit dinner for Metcalf's family.
The benefit fundraiser is at Southern Theater and Event Center in Denton. Food will be sold beginning at 11:30 a.m. Saturday.
"We're doing BBQ chicken. We're cooking 75 pork butts and 500 chicken halves, potato, slaw, and a bun and money in honor of moon pie," Cook said. "85% of the food is donated by different businesses."
The Classic has donated 25 gallons of potato salad.
"Whenever something like this happens, it's good to see everyone in the town come together and support the families," Childers said. "I know Ronnie touched a lot of lives."
And indeed, the lives of those he worked alongside in Lexington.
Lexington fire Chief Paul Jarrett said they're evaluating how to prevent incidents like this in the future.
"We're committed to learning everything we can from this tragedy while there is much we won't know until outside reviews are done," Jarrett said.
While no amount of training can fully prepare firefighters for the dangers, the Greensboro Fire Department put their team through live fire training on Friday.
"The folks today are the ones actually riding calls. It is unique to be able to do this," said Battalion Chief Brad Jones. "We put our lives on the line training is the key to safety."
As some fire departments do what they can to protect those who protect the public, Cook said he'll do what he can to support his brother's family.
"They're very appreciative. My wife spoke with Moonpies wife on several occasions and she's just overwhelmed which is common," Cook said. "She's trying to figure out what life is going to be like now without the man of her dreams."