CRAIGSVILLE — The Logan Fire Department sent a crew of firefighters yesterday to help their fellow firemen at a department where two of its crew lost their lives last week.

"We sent a crew to Richwood for a briefing about what went down in Summersville. We will also be trying to help out with manpower in that area," explained Logan Fire Chief Scotty Beckett referring to a blaze in the Summersville community of Craigsville which left two firemen dead.

According to the state fire marshal's office, 11-year veteran fireman Johnnie Hammons, 49, and 26-year-old Timothy Nicholas were the firefighters who died in a trailer fire in Nicholas County last week. It is possible the men died after the roof of the trailer collapsed, authorities say. 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. Some 18 firefighters from the 30-man department responded to the blaze.

Visitation for both Hammons and Nicholas was held Monday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the armory in Summersville. The funeral service was scheduled for today at 10:30 a.m.

"The fire marshal's office contacted us and asked if we could provide a crew of guys in full turnout gear to stand in for them while they attended the funeral," Beckett said. "I met with the mayor, who fully supported it and said we were good to go. Our guys report for duty (Monday) and then they will report for duty at Richwood Tuesday) to respond to any calls while they are at the funeral. We sent our engine company up there to help out."

Beckett said for now, not a lot is known about the tragic incident and he is curious to find out what caused it.

"We are anxious to find out what went on so we can avoid that happening to our people down here," Beckett said.

"This has been one of the busiest seasons I can recall locally as far as structure fires go. It takes a toll on your people to fight fires in this kind of weather. Smoke alarms are a very important thing, and it saved a lot of lives in that apartment building on Morgan Street and the fire marshals want us to emphasize that. And we want the public to talk about what they would do in the event of a fire and plan out escape routes with their kids. These are things which can avert a tragedy."