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Discarded fireworks caused deadly hunting camp fire, preliminary investigation reveals

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By WALA Digital Staff

Published: Jul. 9, 2026 at 2:37 PM PDT|Updated: 21 hours ago

Discarded fireworks caused deadly hunting camp fire, preliminary investigation reveals

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – The Alabama State Fire Marshal’s Office has released the results of a preliminary investigation into a hunting camp fire that killed two Mobile men.

Previous Reporting: ‘He was my best friend:’ Coaches remember two young men who were killed in Conecuh County fire

Investigators said the fire that killed 19-year-old Walter Hensley and 21-year-old McNeil Mosteller was caused by discarded fireworks. According to officials, the fireworks retained enough heat to ignite combustible materials on an ATV on which they were carried. The fire then spread from the parked ATV to the home.

Both of their coaches say they will be remembered for how they treated people.
Both of their coaches say they will be remembered for how they treated people.(WALA)

The agency said the fire remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the State Fire Marshal’s Office at 334-241-4166.