Houston firefighter Marcelo Garcia dies in warehouse fire; another injured

HOUSTON – A Houston firefighter died and another was injured while battling a warehouse fire late Wednesday night, officials say.

The Houston Fire Department identified the firefighter who died in the line of duty as 42-year-old Marcelo Garcia.

Marcelo Garcia (Photo: Houston Fire Department)

The identity of the other firefighter who was injured has not been released, but officials say the firefighter was not seriously injured.

The deadly incident occurred after Houston firefighters responded to a warehouse fire in the 6600 block of Polk around 10 p.m. 22:50. Shortly after arriving, the firefighters called in another alarm.

A minute later, around 23.05, a firefighter called a mayday for a wall collapse. A third alarm was then issued.

Houston Fire Chief Thomas Muñoz says two firefighters were injured and taken to the hospital.

“Unfortunately, one of our brothers, Firefighter Marcelo Garcia, died at age 42. Firefighter Garcia was with the department for 10 years and he spent his last six years at Station 23,” Muñoz said.

The fire chief is asking the public to keep Garcia’s family and the department in their prayers.

“Every day he woke up to serve the public, just like all of our brothers and sisters in the Houston Fire Department,” Chief Muñoz said. “His reason was to serve the public, save lives, as the mayor said, so others can feel safe. A remarkable man who made the ultimate sacrifice.”

Funeral details will be shared in the coming days.