Fire crews respond to structure fire in Longview

LONGVIEW, Texas (KLTV) - An early morning fire guts an East Texas home and has a firefighter and resident overcome by smoke.

Longview fire crews were called around 5:30 Sunday morning to the corner of 'Victor drive and Hollers street', on Longview's east side.

Investigators believe the fire started in the attic area, and quickly spread through the home.

"5:20 am the Longview fire department responded to number 24 Victor drive for a reported structure fire, when crews arrived they did find that fire was in the attic of this residence," said Longview fire marshal Kevin May.

Flames spread quickly and the roof collapsed as a result.

"They were able to get the fire extinguished quickly," the fire marshal said.

May says that there was such heavy smoke that one of the occupants was overcome by it, and had to be treated at the scene. One of the firefighters had to be treated as well.

"Both of them were treated at the scene and did not require transport to the hospital," said May.

According to neighbors a relative of the owners was staying in the home. They also said that the owners had actually moved to Alaska and had been trying to sell the home for some time.

Residents tried to save what they could, but the home appears to be a loss.

The owners were insured.

The exact cause of the fire has not been determined.