Lake Worth Church fire
The Lake Worth Church fire occurred in 1999 in Lake Worth, Texas, United States. On February 15, 1999 firefighters in Lake Worth, Texas and surrounding towns were alerted to a fire in a church on Roberts Cut Off Road in the area of Cowden Street just before 11 A.M. The roof of the church would eventually collapse trapping five firefighters inside, three of whom would die before they could be rescued. Four firefighters were also on the roof performing ventilation operations when it collapsed below them. The fire Early stages The fire started in a shed to the northeast of the church. Heavy winds caused the fire to spread to the roof area of the church. Inside the fire spread throughout the enclosed attic area. The fire was noticed by a police officer in neighboring Samson Park, and he reported to his dispatcher. The dispatcher then notified the Samson Park fire department under the impression that the fire was in their jurisdiction. At the same time a Lake Worth water department worker noticed the fire and notified his dispatcher who in turn notified the Lake Worth fire department. With all of the notifications, a total of six fire departments were