REHOBOTH - Local firehouses were draped in black bunting today after a veteran third-generation firefighter died in the line of duty on Thanksgiving when he was stricken with an apparent heart attack while responding to a small kitchen fire.

Firefighter Ken Marshall Jr., 33, was stricken at the wheel of Engine 2 while leaving the firehouse about 9:30 p.m. and brought the engine to a stop. Marshall suffered cardiac arrest, fire officials said.

Fellow firefighters performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation on Marshall, who was rushed to Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, where he was later pronounced dead.

Fire Chief Robert Pray said the loss of Marshall, the father of two, came as a profound shock to others in the close-knit volunteer department.

"It hasn't really sunk in with everybody yet," he said.  As many as six to seven volunteers were with Marshall when he stricken, the chief said.

The call Marshall and the others were responding to turned out to be food left on a stove and no serious damage resulted.

Marshall worked for a local contracting company, Pray said.

Rehoboth firefighters, all of whom but the chief are volunteers, typically socialize together at activities ranging from meatball suppers to chicken barbecues.

Pray said Marshall was deeply involved in department events.

Marshall was a third generation firefighter following his father, Kenneth Sr., and grandfather George "Rab" Wetherall, both of whom are now retired. Wetherall served as a deputy chief. Marshall's brother Jon is a 10-year veteran serving with the department.

Pray met with members of the Marshall family this morning.

An Attleboro aerial truck assisted Rehoboth firefighters and volunteers in decorating town fire stations with black bunting in memory of the fallen firefighter.

Marshall and his wife Bethany have two children, ages 6 and 3.