Two soldiers aboard an AH-64 Apache attack helicopter based at Fort Hood were killed Wednesday when the aircraft crashed in a field in Central Texas, sparking a wildfire that forced evacuations, authorities said.
The Apache crashed in Salado around 1:35 p.m. local time, roughly 50 miles north of Austin. The helicopter crashed in a field off Dove Hollow Lane, and the fiery crash sparked a grass fire with several homes in the area evacuated.
The wildfire, named the Dove Hollow Fire, grew to 100 acres and was 45 percent contained as crews worked the blaze. The Bell County Sheriff's Office described the crash as "violent".
The helicopter was from the 1st Cavalry Division. The soldiers' names are being withheld until 24 hours after their families could be notified. No buildings or structures were damaged.
