Tri Lakes Volunteer Fire Department Firefighter Jeff Derrick became disoriented and was overcome by heavy smoke while trying to escape

TITUS COUNTY, Texas — Officials have identified the firefighter who died while battling a grass fire in Titus County on Feb. 27.

Tri Lakes Volunteer Fire Department Firefighter Jeff Derrick was among the crews that responded to a tractor fire that spread to a nearby pasture at 1485 FM 21 in East Texas, authorities said.

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While crews were battling the blaze, shifting winds changed the fire’s direction, and Derrick attempted to return to his vehicle, CBS 19 reported.

Officials said he became disoriented and ran toward the highway in an effort to escape. Amid heavy smoke and extreme conditions, Derrick was overcome by smoke and died in the fire, the department said.

The death marks the second line-of-duty fatality for the department in recent years, KETK reported.

Tri-Lakes firefighters responded with two brush trucks and a tanker, while Mount Pleasant crews assisted with two additional brush trucks and command support, according to KLTV.

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