COTTLE, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- The West Virginia Fire Marshal's Office says the trailer fire in Nicholas County where two firefighters died has been ruled "undetermined."

According to a news release, the opinion of the investigators is based on the severity of the damage caused by the fire and lack of physical evidence remaining at the fire scene.

The fire marshal's office says that investigators are continuing to interview witnesses in the case and may reclassify the cause of the fire if new information becomes available.

Craigsville Volunteer Firefighters Lt. Johnnie Hammons, 49, and Timothy Nicholas, 26, were killed February 19 in Cottle. Investigators say they believe the roof collapsed on top of the firefighters.

A separate investigation surrounding the deaths of the firefighters is still ongoing, according to the news release. This is a joint investigation with the West Virginia Fire Marshal's Office and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

This investigation is expected to take several months.

---

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
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.

Visitation for both Hammons and Nicholas will be Monday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the armory in Summersville.

On Tuesday, friends and family will say goodbye to Johnnie at 10:30 a.m. at the armory. His burial will be at the West Virginia Memorial Gardens.

Timothy's funeral will be held at the armory at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday. He will be laid to rest at the Field Cemetary in Nettie.

The Craigsville Fire Department is asking that any other departments coming to pay their respects and bringing apparatus, to please call to make arrangements. Contact Paul or Brian at (304) 742-5409.

---

(click on the link above to watch a slideshow of images from the scene, news conference, and the fire department)

---

UPDATE @ 9:00 a.m.
By Anna Baxter, WSAZ
CRAIGSVILLE, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- The chief of the Craigsville-Beaver Volunteer Fire Department held a news conference Friday morning, but didn't release any additional information.

Tim Blake asked the media not to ask any questions during the briefing, but he did say the West Virginia State Fire Marshal is at the scene investigating the fire that killed two volunteer firefighters.

Their names are still not being released.

The fire happened just before 10:00 p.m. at a trailer on Route 20 in Craigsville.

"We ask you to please keep the firefighters' families in your thoughts and prayers," Blake said. "We also want to thank those who offered us assistance."

Firefighters from Summersville, Richwood, Cowen, and Webster Springs Volunteer Fire Departments helped put out the fire. Several of those firefighters attended Friday morning's news conference.

The fire chief plans to have another news conference Friday afternoon to release more information.

---

UPDATE@ 7:15 a.m.
CRAIGSVILLE, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A news conference is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. Friday to release details about the fire that killed two firefighters from Nicholas County.

The West Virginia Fire Marshal, members of the Craigsville Volunteer Fire Department, and the Nicholas County Sheriff are all expected to be there.

The fire happened just before 10:00 p.m. at a trailer on Route 20 in Craigsville.

A firefighter with Craigsville tells WSAZ.com that the two firefighters killed were with the Craigsville Volunteer Fire Department. He says no other information is being released at this time, but calls the situation a tragedy.

Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for the latest information.

---

ORIGINAL STORY
CRAIGSVILLE, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Two firefighters were killed Thursday night while fighting a fire in Nicholas County, West Virginia.

The fire happened just before 10 p.m. at a trailer on Route 20 in Craigsville.

A firefighter with Craigsville tells WSAZ.com that the two firefighters killed were with the Craigsville Volunteer Fire Department. He says no other information is being released at this time, but calls the situation a tragedy.

A crisis team from Charleston is headed to the scene, as well as investigators with the West Virginia State Fire Marshal's Office.

WSAZ has a crew on the way to the scene. Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for the latest information.

[ Copyright 2010 – WSAZ.com. All Rights Reserved. ]
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Severe Weather and Breaking News Coverage

To send a news tip or submit a story idea, e-mail news@wsaz.com

---

Latest Comments