Wv Deaths

[firedoc5]

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.