Procession planned for Asheville firefighter

ASHEVILLE, NC (AP) — A procession will be held for the Asheville firefighter who was killed when he rushed into a five-story medical building that was burning.

Asheville Fire Department vehicles will escort the body of 37-year-old Capt. Jeff Bowen as it’s taken from Groce Funeral Home to Biltmore Baptist Church on Monday afternoon. A public visitation is scheduled from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. Monday at the church.

A memorial service is scheduled for Tuesday morning, also at Biltmore Baptist Church.

Bowen was conducting a rescue operation with another firefighter Thursday when they issued a mayday call over the radio. Ten other firefighters were injured.

The fire began on the top floor of a five-story medical building near Mission Hospital in Asheville. The 200 people inside the building got out safely.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)