The Associated Press
FLINT, Texas — Two East Texas volunteer firefighters died early Friday after rushing inside a burning home to look for two other firefighters who had not emerged from the blaze, authorities said.
Investigators are looking into reports that the roof may have collapsed on the two Noonday Volunteer Fire Department members as they entered the house, Smith County Fire Marshal Jim Seaton said.
Two other firefighters, including the Noonday chief, were taken to a hospital and later released. The pair were later named as Capt. Kevin Williams, 42, and firefighter Austin Cheek, 19.
Authorities are unsure what started the fire.
“Everybody is pretty somber,” Seaton said. “They’re trying to be as businesslike as they can. The firefighters, they know they’ve lost brothers.”
The family that lived in the house escaped injury but lost two pets, Seaton said. The investigation into the fire’s cause has been turned over to state fire marshals and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
Noonday Chief Gary Arrant and firefighter Travis Burnett were taken to a Tyler hospital and later released, Seaton said.
The deaths are the first among volunteer firefighters in the county’s history, Seaton said.