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Two West Virginia Firefighters Killed Battling Structure Fire

WSAZ Update, 9pm -- The State Fire Marshal's Office says Lt. Johnnie Hammons, 49, and Timothy Nicholas, 26, were the firefighters killed. Hammons was ann 11-year veteran, while Nicholas served for about a year. Investigators believe they might have died after the roof of the trailer collapsed. Read More at WSAZ.com >>

CRAIGSVILLE, W.Va. (AP) -- Two volunteer firefighters have died while fighting a fire in Nicholas County.

Craigsville Beaver Cottle Volunteer Fire Department Chief Tim Blake said in a statement Friday the two were killed after the department responded to a structure fire about 10 p.m. Thursday.

The fire occurred in the Cottle area.

The statement did not say how the fire is believed to have started, or how the two firefighters were fatally injured.

Their names were not released Friday morning.

The fire and the deaths are being investigated by the state Fire Marshal's office.

A call to the Fire Marshal's office was not immediately returned Friday.

FFN Update: A video of the 9 am press conference Friday by Tim Blake, Chief of the Craigsville-Beaver Volunteer Fire Department is posted online here or watch below.

Related Links:

WV Metro News -- Two Nicholas County Firemen Killed
The men died when they entered a burning trailer around 10:00 Thursday night in an attempt to knock down a heavily involved blaze. Several attempts were made to reach the men, but all rescue efforts failed.
State Journal: Firefighters Killed in Line of Duty
The two men were killed while inside the structure, battling the fire. Paul Blake, with the Craigsville VFD, said one of the men was a veteran, the other had several years experience.
WSAZ (w/Video): Two Firefighters Killed in the Line of Duty - Photos from the Scene
STATter911: Two firefighters killed in West Virginia structure fire

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Permalink Reply by Joel Bonner on February 20, 2009 at 7:16pm: Initial reports are that 1 of the men was a senior veteran FF, the other had several years experience.
Either way this is sad news to us all!! . As always, our most sincere condolences.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by jack ashcraft on February 20, 2009 at 7:22pm: this is a shot of reality that hits down in the heart and these guys their family and department will be in my thoughts; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by BillySFCVFD on February 20, 2009 at 7:55pm: Sad, sad, sad and God bless their family, friends and fellow FFs. TCSS; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Randy on February 20, 2009 at 7:59pm: Godspeed and God Bless Brothers, go rest now!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by dareck on February 20, 2009 at 8:32pm: god bless ,,our prayers are with you all; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Winnie Simpson on February 20, 2009 at 8:43pm: Thoughts and prayers to the families and fire dept. members from St Regis Falls VFD; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by John Rulli Jr. on February 20, 2009 at 8:51pm: God bless them!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Michael on February 20, 2009 at 9:39pm: Let us Pray
Dear Lord, Please be with the families of our two great fellow Firefighters. These Two great people gave their lives doing what they loved and what you put them on earth to do. Lord be with their fellow Brothers and Sisters of the WV Vol Fire Dept. Lord Please take these two great people into your home to protect your castle in heaven against the great evil of satan. Give them everlasting peace . Lord give them two wings and a gold medal hallo for a job well done.
May you lay in peace my fellow friends. AMEN; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Beben on February 20, 2009 at 9:48pm: My sympathies to the families and to all fire fighters in Nicolas County; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Isaac on February 20, 2009 at 10:03pm: My thought and prays go out to the family members and the fire dept. I was reason up close to that area and now am a firefighter in Tn. Again are prays are with the familys of are fallen bothers from Newport City Fire Dept in Tennessee; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by pacosoto on February 20, 2009 at 10:26pm: i agree with pete, how much inside was WORTH to save. waht ever it was, it was VERY expensive. our first golden rule boys and girls, safety first. we are part of the solution not part of de problem. my condolences to this firebrothers families and department. ;-(...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by CHRIS "KIT" STIMMELL on February 20, 2009 at 11:03pm: Our Thoughts and prayers go out to the families and fire department members. God bless.; ▶ Reply to This

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