BOLING, Texas --
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is investigating a blaze that killed a firefighter, KPRC Local 2 reported Monday.
Capt. Thomas Araguz III, an 11-year veteran of the Wharton Fire Department, and two other firefighters ran into the burning Maxim Egg Farm in Boling, Texas, on Saturday night.
The group, including Araguz, 30, got trapped about 10 minutes after they went into the building.
"The heat and the fire really did rapidly intensify," Deputy State Fire Marshal Jay Evans said. "It was at this time two firefighters made an escape."
Five rapid intervention teams went in to look for Araguz, but they had to get out because the flames were too intense.
It took nine hours and more than 30 different fire departments to get the blaze under control.
Araguz's body was found at about 7:20 a.m. Sunday. He left behind a wife and two young sons.
A team of two dozen ATF agents and specialists is investigating the cause of the fire.
"ATF is investigating this tragic fire jointly with the Wharton County Sheriff's Office and the Texas State Fire Marshal's Office. We will work together in partnership to determine the origin and cause of this fatal fire," said Dewey Webb, ATF Special Agent in Charge of the Houston Field Division.
Investigators said they want to talk to everyone who was at the scene at the time of the fire.
Officials said it had been more than 50 years since a Wharton firefighter was killed in the line of duty.
Maxim Production Company is an egg processing company and employs about 250 people. ATF officials said the company's loss was estimated to be worth $5 to $10 million.
Maxim Egg Farm Statement
We, unfortunately, had a devastating fire that burned our entire administration office and one of our egg processing facilities. However, we do have another identical processing facility to be able to help meet the demands of our customers.
There were many fire departments from the surrounding counties that came to the call of duty and we are extremely thankful to all of them for their courageous help. Wharton Volunteer Fire Department sustained a loss of one of their family members fighting the fire. The Maxim family will keep the department and the family of the lost firefighter in its prayers and asks that you do too.
Maxim would like to inform our valued customers that they will be taken care of. We are receiving assistance from our friends in the egg industry to help ensure we will be able to meet the demands of our customers. Please call us to place your egg orders like normal.
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