SALISBURY, N.C. -- Hundreds lined the streets to pay their respects to two fallen firefighters Monday.

A procession carried Victor Isler and Justin Monroe from the medical examiner's office in Charlotte to a funeral home in Salisbury. People were waiting for it.

The daughter of a retired firefighter, Dolly Canup, said, "This is very sad and it really brings the community together to realize what these guys do every day to protect you and save your belongings."

Black ribbons hung on the fire station. Red ribbons hung just about everywhere else.

Salisbury resident Lola Simpson, said, "We care about our people."

Walter Hubbard just moved from New York to Salisbury, but, joined many long-time residents along the path. He said, "Every day is one day closer. You got to enjoy every day that you have."

Retired firefighter Marvin Yost said, "I can realize what they going through. It's not good."

While some prayed for the lives lost, others thought about firefighters still living, like Tina Baker's son. She said, "I'm lucky my son is safe."

Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms stabilized the rubble of the Salisbury building where the two firefighters were mortally wounded and began an intense investigation into how the fire started and what led to the men’s deaths.

The source of the fire and the procedures and response of the first fire crew at the scene will be scrutinized.

Firefighters Isler and Monroe died after going into a massive five-alarm blaze at the Salisbury Millwork building on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard early Friday. Their captain and several firefighters who tried to rescue the crew were injured.

Firefighters from neighboring towns were still putting out hotspots at the scene on Sunday while investigators combed through the surface debris. Fire departments from across the region offered their help so that Salisbury firefighters could focus on grieving.

The investigation into the fire at the woodworking business is also a joint effort. In addition to the ATF’s National Incident Response Team, the State Bureau of Investigation, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Department of Labor, Charlotte fire experts and Rowan County and Salisbury investigators are looking into the blaze.

Many of the investigators took part in Monday afternoon’s procession that took the fallen firefighters from uptown Charlotte back to Salisbury. Dozens of citizens lined the route along U.S. 29 and Interstate 85 to pay their respects.

Salisbury Deputy Police Chief Steve Whitley said in this case his job gets especially personal.

"We know these fellows, we know their families. They're just like kin folk. You grieve for them, then comes the process of preparing to say goodbye and the funeral," he said.

Thousands from across the country are expected to attend the funeral for both men at 2 p.m. Thursday in the chapel at Catawba College. A fund to aid their families is also being established with the Bank of North Carolina.

Those wishing to show their support can also display red ribbons. The ribbons are available at several fire stations. Other locations are being added to the list on Salisbury’s Web site.

The owner of the Salisbury Millwork, Norde Wilson, said although he’s concerned about his own employees and the business, his thoughts are with the victims’ families.

“That’s the tragic thing about it, the loss of life. We haven’t lost anything compared to what those families have lost, and that disturbs us,” he said.

Investigators said they have no reason to believe the fire was suspicious, but they are doing everything they can to make sure. The fire is believed to have started in the basement and burned for about an hour before breaking through the roof and engulfing the entire building.