CRAIGSVILLE, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- The State Fire Marshal's Office says Lt. Johnnie Hammons, 49, and Timothy Nicholas, 26, were the firefighters killed in a fire in Nicholas County Friday morning.
Hammons had been on the fire department for around 11 years, while Nicholas served for about a year. Both died while fighting a trailer fire on Route 20 in Craigsville Thursday night.
Investigators believe they might have died after the roof of the trailer collapsed.
Reid Cook with the West Virginia Fire Marshal's Office says investigators will give 110% in finding a cause for the circumstances surrounding today's fatal fire.
"We want to know why this happened and how it can be prevented in the future," said Cook.
Cook says that when the Craigsville Volunteer Fire Department arrived at the scene, the fire was mostly in a camping trailer that was parked about four feet from the mobile home. The fire spread to the mobile home.
The firefighters thanked everyone for their support and condolences during this difficult time, including the firefighters from other departments who helped fight the fire.
"We are a greiving fire department," said one of the firefighters with the Craigsville Volunteer Fire Department during the news conference.
18 firefighters initially responded to the scene, according to Craigsville's fire chief. The department has 30 members.
Republished with permission of WSAZ-TV.
Funeral Arrangements
The visitation for both Hammons and Nicholas will be Monday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Summersville Armory.
Funeral service for Hammons will be Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at the armory. The funeral procession will go to West Virginia Memorial Gardens in Craigsville.
Funeral service for Nicholas also will be held Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. at the armory. The funeral procession will go to Fields Cemetery in Nettie.
