State News

Asheville honors fallen firefighter

Capt. Jeff Bowen, 37, was killed when he rushed into a five-story medical building that was burning.

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ASHEVILLE, N.C. — A slow procession of Asheville Fire Department vehicles escorted the body of one of their own to his funeral Monday afternoon. 

Capt. Jeff Bowen, 37, was killed when he rushed into a five-story medical building that was burning.

The procession took Bowen from Groce Funeral Home to Biltmore Baptist Church where a public visitation is scheduled from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.

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.

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