HOUSTON — The Houston Fire Department is mourning the loss of one of their own after he died battling a three-alarm warehouse fire in the Greater East End Wednesday night.
Marcelo Garcia, 42, has been identified as the firefighter who died. A second firefighter was hospitalized but is expected to be OK.
Garcia was a 10-year veteran assigned to Station 23, fire officials said. He died when a wall collapsed.
The incident began when fire crews responded to a warehouse fire just before 11 p.m. on Supply Row near Polk Street, just west of Highway 90.
According to fire officials, a second alarm was pulled at 11:04 p.m., and minutes later, a mayday was called following a wall collapse, leading to a third alarm.
Garcia and another firefighter were taken to Memorial Hermann in the Texas Medical Center after being injured in the collapse.
During a procession from the hospital, both HFD and the Houston Police Department were there paying their respects.
A tribute went out over the Texas-wide area radio network earlier Thursday morning in Garcia's honor.
“Firefighter Marcelo Garcia served with pride, honor, and integrity he left a lasting impression on the many lives he touched and his legacy will forever be engraved in our hearts as we continue to honor his memory while we serve,” was heard via Range Cast Audio.
City officials said City Hall will be illuminated in red Thursday night to honor Garcia and flags were lowered to half-staff earlier in the day.
HFD Chief Thomas Muñoz said Critical Incident Stress Management teams are offering support to the firefighters involved, and assistance is also being provided to their families.
“We ask the City of Houston to keep the Garcia family and the Houston Fire Department in your prayers as we mourn our brother,” the chief said. "He's a man who woke up every morning to come to work so he could help others and save lives. A hero, a true hero."
Houston Mayor John Whitmire also offered his condolences to the family of the fallen firefighter.
"This is the hardest part of my role as mayor of this great city -- to respond to a tragedy involving one of our first responders, one of our heroes," the mayor said. "On behalf of the citizens of Houston, I offer my deepest condolences to the Garcia family."
Houston City Councilmember Joaquin Martinez said he knew Garcia and that he was a family friend of his.
“The East End, Magnolia Park lost a special individual this morning! He was a Milby High School graduate and Magnolia Park Sharks Super Bowl champ! He was a family friend! I've been at a loss for words,” the councilmember said in a post on X. “I’m heartbroken to learn of the line of duty death of my good friend and Houston firefighter, Marcelo Garcia. He was selfless, kind, and compassionate. Marcelo was a hero and will not be forgotten. The Garcia family and the department remain in my prayers as we all mourn this tragic loss. You will be missed, brother!”
Watch their full press conference below:
Fire officials said the fire was extinguished but no word on how it started.
HFD’s Arson Division is working to determine the cause and origin of the fire. They are also coordinating with the State Fire Marshal’s office, which investigates all firefighter line-of-duty deaths in Texas.