Two killed after an Apache military helicopter crashed near Salado, Texas

Two soldiers were killed Tuesday when a U.S. Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopter crashed in a central Texas field, igniting a grass fire that forced evacuations.

The Bell County Sheriff's Office received 911 calls at about 1:34 p.m. reporting the crash south of Salado, roughly 30 miles southeast of Fort Hood. Deputies arrived to find the wreckage and a grass fire that spokesperson Cliff Coleman described as "a large fire that is out of control." Both crew members were pronounced dead at 2:30 p.m. Their identities have not been released.

"It crashed into a field, and you could tell it was a violent crash," Coleman said, noting the aircraft struck no homes or structures. Portions of a nearby road were closed and some residents evacuated as a precaution.

The helicopter was based at Fort Hood. Brig. Gen. Ethan Diven, acting commanding general, said the immediate priority is securing the site and supporting the response, adding that his thoughts are with the crew and their families.

The Army's Criminal Investigation Division at Fort Hood is leading the investigation.