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LODD: Houston fire capt. dies 4 years after fatal hotel fire

William “Iron Bill” Dowling, 43, lost both of his legs and suffered brain damage during a 5-alarm hotel fire in 2013

By FireRescue1 Staff

HOUSTON — A fire captain who was seriously injured while battling a hotel fire that killed four firefighters in 2013 died Tuesday.

Chron.com reported that William “Iron Bill” Dowling, 43, lost both of his legs and suffered brain damage after being trapped by a roof collapse during the 5-alarm blaze.

Firefighters Robert Bebee, Robert Garner, Matthew Renaud and Anne Sullivan were killed in the fire. Thirteen other firefighters were injured.

Dowling moved to Colorado last year and was recently hospitalized for pneumonia and cellulitis.

“The men and women of the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association mourn the loss of our brother Captain William “Iron Bill” Dowling,” the union said in a statement. “As we begin to reflect on Captain Dowling’s life, we remember why we call him ‘Iron Bill.’ The incredible strength and bravery he showed as he and his family rebuilt his life — and theirs — after his injuries inspired us all.”

He leaves behind his wife and three children.

https://twitter.com/KPRC2/status/839316166355079172 https://twitter.com/HoustonOEM/status/839431030163525632/photo/1 https://twitter.com/JJWatt/status/839310652799922176/photo/1

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