Two boys killed by downed power lines in Fort Worth after major storms

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By Carol Christian, Chron.com / Houston Chronicle

Published 9:19 am, Thursday, March 30, 2017

Photo: Rose Baca, AP

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Caption

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A sign lays in the yard of a damaged home following a storm in the early hours of the morning in Rockwall, Texas on Wednesday, March 29, 2017.

Keep going for more images of the storms that that walloped Texas this week.

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A sign lays in the yard of a damaged home following a storm in the early hours of the morning in Rockwall, Texas on Wednesday, March 29, 2017.

Keep going for more images of the storms that that walloped Texas

… more

Photo: Rose Baca, AP

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Simon Pineda carries debris caused by the severe weather at the 5900 Bissonnet Street apartment complex Wednesday, March 29, 2017, in Houston. ( Godofredo A. Vasquez / Houston Chronicle )

Photo: Godofredo A. Vasquez/Houston Chronicle

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Simon Pineda checks the wiring of an air conditioning unit under what used to be the car port roof at the 5900 Bissonnet Street apartment complex Wednesday, March 29, 2017, in Houston. ( Godofredo A. Vasquez / Houston Chronicle )

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… more

Photo: Godofredo A. Vasquez/Houston Chronicle

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A woman looks at the damage caused by the severe weather outside her residence at the 5900 Bissonnet Street apartment complex Wednesday, March 29, 2017, in Houston. ( Godofredo A. Vasquez / Houston Chronicle )

Photo: Godofredo A. Vasquez/Houston Chronicle

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This March 2017 photo from video provided by KSPR in Springfield, Mo., shows storm chaser Kelley Williamson, of Cassville, Mo. Williamson was one of three storm chasers killed in a vehicle crash near Spur, Texas, Tuesday, March 28, 2017. Williamson and Randy Yarnall, from Cassville, Mo., both contractors with the Weather Channel, and Corbin Lee Jaeger of Peoria, Ariz., died in the accident. (KSPR via AP) less

Photo: AP

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FILE – In this May 19, 2010 file photo taken near Kingfisher, Okla., storm chasers and spectator vehicles clog the road and shoulder of Highway 81. The subculture of chasing has gone mainstream in recent years, thanks to digital cameras and mobile radar. And it’s getting more dangerous. Highways are increasingly clogged with chasers trying to beat each other in a risky race to capture the storms. Three storm chasers died Tuesday, March 28, 2017, in a collision as they raced toward a tornado-warned storm in West Texas, authorities said. less

Photo: Sue Ogrocki, AP

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A house is damaged following a storm early in the morning in Rockwall, Texas on Wednesday, March 29, 2017. A powerful storm system with winds exceeding 60 mph has damaged homes in suburban Dallas, knocked out power to tens of thousands across Texas and brought heavy rain that inundated some areas. (Rose Baca/The Dallas Morning News via AP) less

Photo: Rose Baca, AP

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John Hampton stands outside his brother’s house that was damaged following a storm early in the morning in Rockwall, Texas on Wednesday, March 29, 2017. A powerful storm system with winds exceeding 60 mph has damaged homes in suburban Dallas, knocked out power to tens of thousands across Texas and brought heavy rain that inundated some areas. (Rose Baca/The Dallas Morning News via AP) less

Photo: Rose Baca, AP

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Houses are damaged following a storm early in the morning in Rockwall, Texas on Wednesday, March 29, 2017. A powerful storm system with winds exceeding 60 mph has damaged homes in suburban Dallas, knocked out power to tens of thousands across Texas and brought heavy rain that inundated some areas. (Rose Baca/The Dallas Morning News via AP) less

Photo: Rose Baca, AP

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Texas Department of Public Safety troopers investigate a two-vehicle crash that left several storm chasers dead Tuesday, March 28, 2017, near Spur, Texas. The storms spawned multiple funnel clouds and an occasional tornado in open areas of West Texas on Tuesday afternoon. The crash happened at a remote intersection near the town of Spur, about 55 miles southeast of Lubbock. (Ellysa Gonzalez/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal via AP) less

Photo: Ellysa Gonzalez, AP

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Texas Department of Public Safety troopers investigate a two-vehicle crash that left several storm chasers dead Tuesday , March 28, 2017, near Spur, Texas. Tornadoes had been reported nearby at the time of the crash and heavy rain had been reported in the area, according to the National Weather Service. (Ellysa Gonzalez/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal via AP) less

Photo: Ellysa Gonzalez, AP

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Photo: Ellysa Gonzalez, AP

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Tara Shadoan takes her belongings before the insurance company tows her car damaged by last night’s hailstorm in Highland Village, Texas, Monday, March 27, 2017. The springtime severe weather season is ramping up with damaging winds, large hail and tornadoes in the forecast nearly every day this week, including in parts of Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee on Monday. A day earlier, the same storm system swept through parts of Oklahoma and Texas, dropping softball-sized hailstones near Dallas. (Jae S. Lee/The Dallas Morning News via AP) less

Photo: Jae S. Lee, AP

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Photo: Jae S. Lee, AP

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Two young boys, believed to be 11 and 12, died after they touched downed power lines in a heavily wooded area near a Fort Worth park.

The Fort Worth Fire Department received the first call about the incident at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, said Lt. Kyle Falkner, department spokesman.

When crews arrived, they were directed by bystanders to an overgrown area near the north end of Oakland Lake Park, where they found the two boys, he said.

DEADLY CHASE: Three storm chasers killed in car crash pursuing tornado

“At that time, the line was still arcing, so the fire department contacted Oncor, our utility provider and requested an emergency response,” Falkner said.

As soon as power was cut to the line, fire fighters and medical crew members made their way to the boys, who were pronounced dead about 8:20 p.m., he said. They were in an area that is not mowed and maintained, Falkner said.

According to NBC DFW, a family member said the boys were brothers. Their identities have not been released.