A Texas dad dies in a house fire on Thanksgiving, leaving behind his wife and 7 children

A Texas father died and left behind eight other family members after a house fire broke out at their residence on Thanksgiving Day.

George Freeman died in a fire at his family home in Copperas Cove in the early morning hours of Thursday, November 28, the Copperas Cove Fire Department said. press release shared on Facebook.

Emergency services were initially called about the fire around 4:33 a.m. local time, according to the release.

The fire department arrived on scene to find “fire and smoke coming from the front and garage side” of the property as they were told that “one resident was still inside the home and was missing,” the release said.

“After entering the site, firefighters began searching for the resident and at the same time extinguished the fire in the garage of the house,” wrote the fire brigade.

“The house was heavily filled with smoke, which resulted in a complete loss of visibility. After a short search, firefighters finally located the resident and immediately removed him from the home,” they continued.

Freeman, 61, was not breathing or had a pulse when he was rescued, according to the release.

Authorities confirmed that despite efforts to save Freeman’s life, he died at the scene.

Freeman lived in the residence with his wife and seven children, who were able to leave the property safely. They are currently receiving assistance from the American Red Cross.

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The Copperas Cove Fire Department confirmed the fire started in the garage before entering the home.

“(The fire) directly damaged the garage, dining room, kitchen and living room. The rest of the house suffered smoke damage,” they said in a statement.

According to information, the firefighting operation lasted about 30 minutes.

An investigation is currently underway by the fire marshal.