The Associated Press reports that a firetruck and pickup smashed into each other in Montana on Thursday, killing a fire chief and a family of five.

The crash killed 44-year-old Todd Rummel, the new chief of the volunteer fire department in Three Forks, Montana, as well as two adults and three children.

According to Reuters, the Montana Highway Patrol is currently investigating the cause of the deadly collision. The bodies of all those involved will be examined at the state crime lab, Jefferson County Undersheriff Mike Johnson told Reuters.

Rummel had only been fire chief for a little more than month when the accident occurred.

“Todd was the glue that held this department together,” firefighter Brad Eastty told NBC affiliate KTVM.

“It leaves a great big hole in the fire department,” Eastty added. “And the community of Three Forks.”

The names and ages of those riding in the pickup have yet to be released.