Two tiny Warren County brothers died early Saturday morning while asleep in their beds as their firefighter father fought the smoke and flames consuming their mobile home.

Tyler Daniel Smith, 4, and Hayden Anderson Smith, 22 months, were found dead of smoke inhalation in the bedroom they shared at 811 Sherman Ave. by firefighters who responded to the blaze around 1 a.m., said Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace.

The boys’ parents, Thomas “Trey” and Jennifer Smith, were treated and released from University Medical Center in Jackson for smoke inhalation after escaping the blaze, which destroyed the home.

The Smiths awoke to find their bedroom full of smoke, said Pace. Trey Smith — assistant chief of the Culkin Volunteer Fire Department — called dispatch with his handheld radio and immediately began aiding his family, Pace said.

“He kicked out an air conditioner and helped his wife out of the home. He did everything he possibly could to make it to his children’s bedroom, but the fire, heat and smoke were just too intense,” Pace said. “Firefighters and deputies arrived on the scene 3 1/2 minutes after the call came in, and they observed fire coming out of all the doors and windows. The house was fully engulfed.”

Trey Smith received minor burns and abrasions as well as smoke inhalation in the rescue attempt, said Pace. He and his wife were taken to River Region Medical Center before being transferred to UMC, he said. The cause of the fire remained under investigation.

“They’re confident it’s an accidental fire, nothing suspicious, but the exact cause has yet to be determined,” Pace said.

Warren County Coroner Doug Huskey blamed the deaths on smoke inhalation.

Ron Anderson, the boys’ grandfather and a well-known Vicksburg radio personality, said his daughter and her husband were released from UMC late Saturday morning and were staying with family members in Vicksburg. He remembered his grandsons as energetic young boys who bounded with enthusiasm. 

“Tyler was just a lot of fun. He loved to participate in plays at his day care, and he was just one of the loudest, proudest kids you can imagine. He and Jack Wright — Porters Chapel coach Randy Wright Jr.’s son — they went to day care together and were just the best of buds,” said Anderson. “Hayden had a head of curly blonde hair, and was just the cutest little boy you’ve ever seen. He was a bundle of energy.”

Responding to the blaze were the Warren County Sheriff’s Department, Vicksburg Fire Department and Culkin, Fisher Ferry, Bovina and Northeast volunteer departments. The LeTourneau Volunteer Fire Department, Vicksburg Police Department and American Red Cross assisted in the response, said Culkin Chief Jerry Briggs.

Trey Smith, 29, works for Rebel Welding, while Jennifer, 25, works at The Street Clinic in Vicksburg as a coding specialist, said Anderson. The couple had recently celebrated their sixth anniversary, said Anderson, and Tyler and Hayden were their only children. No one else was in the home at the time of the fire. A memorial fund will be established early this week for those who would like to contribute to the family, Anderson said.

“The outpouring of the community has been wonderful, and we want to thank everyone for their support,” said Anderson.

Huskey said the boys’ deaths were the first fire fatalities in the county since March 2, 2007.

He also said Glenwood Funeral Home would have charge of arrangements.

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Contact Steve Sanoski at ssanoski@vicksburgpost.com