CONCORD -- Five years ago Saturday, Contra Costa Fire Protection District Capt. Matt Burton and Engineer Scott Desmond died while fighting a blaze in unincorporated San Pablo.

They haven't been forgotten.

The District will hold a public ceremony Saturday morning to honor Burton, Desmond and other members of the Fire District who perished in the line of duty. The men, whose heroics are commemorated on a memorial at the Training Division station at 2945 Treat Blvd. in Concord, will be honored at 9:30 a.m. in a ceremony that's open to the public.

The ceremony will include several speakers, the Contra Costa County Professional Firefighters Local 1230 Honor Guard, as well as access to the memorial rose garden at the facility.

Sixteen firefighters have died in the line of duty for the Fire District since 1969. Murton and Desmond died when a phenomenon known as a "flashover" occurred as they searched the interior of a house for two elderly residents who also died.

Rick Hurd covers public safety. Contact him at 925-945-4780 and follow him at Twitter.com/3rdERH.