Two U.S. Army soldiers were killed Wednesday when an AH-64 Apache attack helicopter crashed in a field near Salado in central Texas, authorities said.

The helicopter, based at Fort Hood, went down south of the village of Salado, about 60 miles (97 kilometers) north of Austin. Emergency responders were alerted shortly after 1:30 p.m. local time after receiving reports of the wreckage. The two crew members were pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash triggered a large vegetation fire, with local officials reporting that flames spread rapidly after the aircraft went down. Multiple fire departments responded as emergency crews worked to secure the site and bring the blaze under control.

The U.S. Army confirmed the fatalities and said an investigation into the circumstances of the crash is underway. Officials have not publicly identified the two soldiers pending notification of their families.

“Our immediate priority is securing the site and supporting the initial response efforts,” said Brig. Gen. Ethan Diven, acting commanding general of the 1st Cavalry Division. He expressed condolences to the crew members’ families while investigators begin determining what led to the crash.

There was no immediate indication that the helicopter was involved in hostile activity. Authorities have not announced a preliminary cause, and investigators are expected to examine the aircraft, flight information and circumstances surrounding the training operation.

Bell County Sheriff's Office spokesman Cliff Coleman said deputies arriving at the scene found the helicopter wreckage and a substantial fire that was spreading quickly.

The crash site remained an active emergency scene as authorities worked to contain the fire and secure the area. Local reporting said the blaze affected roughly 100 acres, prompting evacuations in the surrounding area.

The incident is the latest fatal accident involving a U.S. military aircraft and has prompted renewed attention to aviation safety during Army flight operations.

The AH-64 Apache is a twin-engine, four-bladed attack helicopter designed for missions including armed reconnaissance, close combat, mobile strike operations and other battlefield roles. The helicopter involved in Wednesday's crash was operating from Fort Hood, one of the U.S. Army's major installations.

The identities of the two soldiers and the precise cause of the crash are expected to be released once the appropriate notifications and initial investigative procedures are completed. (ILKHA)