Report released in firefighters death

Kilgore — The Federal Government has released it's report on the deaths of two firefighters. Last January 45-year-old Kyle perkins of Kilgore and 28-year-old Cory Galloway of Grand Saline fell eight stories during a training exercise in Kilgore.

Federal investigators found both equipment issues and procedural problems were to blame. Eye hooks on the bottom of an elevated platform got caught on the top wall of the Kilgore College dorm where training exercises were taking place. While attempting to free the platform part of the wall gave way causing the platform to whip back and throw the firefighters off.

Doug Stewart was good friends with kyle perkins one of the firefighters who died that day.

Mr. Stewart says, "he started off just as a volunteer worked his way up... loved everything about it."

He also says Mr. Perkins was aware of the danger he faced fighting fires and training.

"I know they have to know that risk going into it you know its tragic but it's part of the job."

The government report also identified three other factors that led to the accident. Investigators said the crew was not familiar enough with the new controls,the exercise was too risky with limited training on that equipment, and the crew did not use restraints.