SALISBURY, N.C. -- Salisbury firefighters and community members gathered Sunday to remember fallen firefighters Victor Isler and Justin Monroe, who died in a massive structure fire at the old Salisbury Millwork on Friday.

"He was more of a father-figure to us," is how Chris Hayes described 40-year-old Isler.

"He was a very dedicated person," said Greg Shue about 19-year-old Justin Monroe.

Funeral arrangements for both fallen firefighters have not been made.

But Sunday, relatives, friends, and fellow-firefighters remembered Monroe and Isler during morning services at the Trading Ford Baptist Church, in Salisbury, where 19-year-old Monroe was a church member.

"It's still a shock," said pastor Mike Motley during his sermon. "Our hearts are all grieving today."

Investigators including Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents, work to determine the cause of the fire on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard in Salisbury. And Sunday crews remained on the scene of the fire tending to hot spots.

There's been an outpouring of support from the people in Salisbury. By Friday night, flowers and a wreath were placed at a monument honoring fallen firefighters on South Main Street. While the fire was still burning, strangers were stopping by the Central Fire Station offering their condolences. Red Cross volunteers were on hand to help.

Eyewitness News spoke to a local caterer who stopped by with soup and cookies. She was helped by the fire department when her house nearly burned down several years ago and wanted to come by and offer her support.

"We love you and we're grateful. And we hurt for you," said Lee Piper.

Several area fire departments were brought in to offer emotional support, as well as staffing support so the colleagues of the two men could grieve.

One of the fallen men died at the scene and was draped with an American flag as he was loaded into the ambulance. Other firefighters removed their helmets, linked arms and prayed outside the burning Salisbury Millwork building. A second firefighter died at the hospital.

"Our thoughts and prayers are for the fallen firefighters families," Salisbury Mayor Susan Kluttz said.

Fire Chief Bob Parnell said both fallen firefighters were part of the hose team that was first to respond to the blaze along with five other crews.

"We lost two excellent firefighters. They are our friends, brothers and buddies. We're a close, tight-knit group and every member is hurting," he said.

The chief did not go into detail as to how the two firefighters were mortally wounded. More information will be released as the investigation into the blaze continues. The chief said Justin Monroe worked as a junior firefighter, starting at the age of 14. Chief Parnell recalled Monroe saying fighting fires was his calling.

The two Salisbury firefighters injured in the massive fire, Capt. Rick Barkley and Bryan Roberts have been treated and released from hospitals. Three other firefighters from the Locke Township Fire Department, were also injured. Bradley McKnight, James Hall, and Rusty Alexander were treated and released from Rowan Regional Medical Center.

Parnell said many rescue crews tried to get to the fallen men.

"They were very gallant and brave," he said.

The five-alarm fire destroyed the Salisbury Millwork building at the intersection of Julian Road and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. More than 100 firefighters, with the help of a steady rain, reduced the inferno to smoldering rubble.

The fire burned uncontrollably for hours after it began around 7 a.m. Workers at the woodworking business said they arrived, saw the flames and called 911.

Flames burst through the roof shortly after 9 a.m. and the firefighters inside were evacuated. Explosions and walls tumbling could be heard outside around 10 a.m.

Surrounding towns and the city of Charlotte sent in fire crews to help pour water on the fire. Charlotte's chapter of the Red Cross also sent support to the scene. Salisbury, a town of about 27,000 people, is about 40 miles north of Charlotte.

At this point, fire investigators have no idea how the blaze began.

Norde Wilson, who owns the business, said he's just stunned.

"Been running through my mind, and I just can't think. (The fire) evidently started in the basement from the description of what (firefighters) were seeing when they got in here," he said.

The site has a history of fires, according to the Salisbury Post. The building used to be Salisbury Lumber and Supply, and a fire there in 1959 was called "the most spectacular and damaging fire in Salisbury history." Another fire in 1998 gutted a portion of Salisbury Lumber and Supply.

The original plant on the site, Arey Brick and Lumber Co., was destroyed by fire in 1939. The plant was founded in 1947 and moved to its current location in the last decade. It's a family-owned milling firm that makes laminate cabinets, moldings and other products. The firm employs about 35 workers.

Salisbury Millwork was founded in 1947 and moved to its current location in the last decade. It’s a family-owned milling firm that makes laminate cabinets, moldings and other products. The firm employs about 35 workers.