DETROIT, Mich. -- A Detroit firefighter was laid to rest today after dying when the roof of an abandoned house collapsed on him Saturday morning.

The fire started around 5 a.m. in the vacant house on Kirby Street, in the area of Van Dyke and Warren on Detroit's east side.

Authorities said Walter Harris, 37, of Sterling Heights and two other firefighters were in the attic of the house putting out hot spots when it collapsed and trapped the men. The other two men were able to escape but Harris was crushed by debris.

He was rushed to Detroit Receiving Hospital but did not survive.

Fellow firefighters said Harris, a 17-year veteran, was the glue of the firehouse.

"Walter loved to laugh. It's going to be hard to go through a day here without hearing his laugh," said Lt. Steve Kirschner.

Harris leaves behind a wife and six children. The youngest is 1 and another is a Detroit firefighter.

"He loved his family so much. He was so proud of them," said Kirschner.

Kirschner said he wanted Harris' wife to know he talked about her all throughout the day Friday.

Harris was a man of faith and served as the department chaplain.

"Their (Harris' family) faith is getting through it. They grieve differently from people who don't have faith," said Kirschner.

He added that Harris broke the color and social barrier. "He made everyone else around him more like him," said Kirschner.

The funeral was held at 10 a.m. at Second Ebenezer Church, 14601 Dequindre in Detroit.