Tragedy has struck the Rowan-Iredell Fire Volunteer Department as two of its off-duty firefighters, Daniel Sell and Jacob Steele, died following an ATV accident in West Virginia, with the small town of Cleveland confirming the somber news on Facebook; "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends", the post read, an echo of loss reverberating through the community.

As reported by WSOC-TV, the accident has deeply affected the West Rowan Community, nowhere more evident than at Sunday's church softball game where "All the teams got together and prayed; it's close-knit, everyone here knows the names, pretty much everyone knows these families," said Raye Brothers, who coached Sell on his football and wrestling teams, Sell and Steele, both young and integral to their community now leave behind a void marked by the lowered flags and shared grief and the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office offered their condolences, highlighting the families’ integral role in the community.

Although details on the crash are scant, WBTV noted that the town's official statement made no mention of the nature of the two firefighters' deaths; the Rowan County Sheriff's Office, however, identified Sell and Steele, encapsulating the community's sadness in a brief but poignant announcement.

"It’s a blow, Two young men lost their lives it’s terrible," Brothers told WCNC, succinctly summarizing the weight of the tragedy; further information might shed light on this dark time, for now, those who knew Sell and Steele and even those who did not, are bonded in a collective mourning, seeking solace together in a time where answers are scant and the reality of loss is all too present, as stated in the town of Cleveland's social media post shared by WCNC.