Seattle ,WA : Three firefighters died and four others injured after their vehicle crashed on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2015

Three firefighters died after their vehicle crashed and was likely caught by flames as they battled a blaze in Washington state, authorities said. Four other firefighters were injured.

The casualties came Wednesday as firefighters on several fronts fought against raging wildfires advancing on towns in the north-central part of the state.

The crash during the wildfire occurred near the town of Twisp, the National Forest Service said.

"The firefighters were engaged in initial attack operations and were involved in a vehicle accident when it is believed that the fire overtook the vehicle," said the statement from Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, relaying information from Okanogan County Sheriff Frank Rogers.

It wasn't immediately clear if the four injured were also involved in the accident.

The Forest Service statement identified the dead as U.S. Forest Service firefighters. Of the four injured, two are with the state Department of Natural Resources employees, one is a DNR contractor, and one is a U.S. Forest Service worker.

Officials said no names or other information on the casualties was being released until relatives were notified.


Source:

3 firefighters killed by Wash. wildfire after vehicle crash