Two Fort Hood soldiers were killed after an Army helicopter crashed Wednesday in Central Texas, local authorities and military officials said.Β 

The aircraft, an AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, crashed in Salado, Texas, a village in Bell County, according to a press release. Officials from the Army base confirmed that two soldiers died but noted they will withhold the names of the deceased until their next of kin are notified.Β 

Cliff Coleman, the public information officer for the Bell County Sheriff's Office, said Wednesday that his department received 911 calls regarding the crash at roughly 1:34 p.m. CDT. Coleman told reporters the helicopter did not hit any structures or homes, adding, "You could tell it was a violent crash."

The service members were pronounced dead roughly an hour later, Coleman said.

They were later transported to Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center at Fort Hood, according to the release.

"Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the families, friends, and fellow Troopers of those involved during this incredibly difficult time," said Brig. Gen. Ethan Diven, the acting commanding general of the 1st Cavalry Division.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) also mourned the loss of the soldiers, writing Wednesday on social media that his state "is forever indebted to those who serve our state and nation."

The crash sparked a fire that Coleman said was "not contained yet," with multiple local fire departments responding to the blaze. The sheriff's office spokesperson noted authorities evacuated "several folks" living on FM-2843, a highway that runs through Bell County.

As of Wednesday at nearly 8:40 p.m. local time, the fire had burned 155 acres and was 95 percent contained, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service Incident Viewer.

The Fort Hood Criminal Investigation Division is leading the probe into the crash.

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