By Bill Carey
FireRescue1
HOUSTON — The Houston Fire Department announced the line-of-duty death of a firefighter following a wall collapse and mayday during a commercial structure fire.
In a press conference outside Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, Fire Chief Thomas Muñoz said Firefighter Marcelo Garcia succumbed to injuries received while fighting a fire at 6601 Polk Street, KHOU reported.
It’s news we never want to have to share.
— Houston Fire Dept (@HoustonFire) November 7, 2024
One firefighter, Marcelo Garcia, passed away following the warehouse fire on Polk St. today.
Funeral information will be shared in the coming days.
Please keep this members his family, and the department in your prayers. https://t.co/TXkU96owFs
The fire department received the call at 10:50 p.m. on Nov. 6. Firefighters arrived six minutes later and called for a second alarm assignment, Chief Muñoz said.
At 11:05 p.m. a mayday was transmitted for a wall collapse. Two injured firefighters were transported to Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center where Garcia reportedly succumbed to his injuries.
The other firefighter’s injuries were not serious.
No specific details regarding fireground and mayday operations were provided.
Garcia had been with the department for 10 years and was assigned to Station 23 for the last six.
Support from the department’s critical incident stress management teams has been available to firefighters and their families.
