HOUSTON – The Houston Fire Department is in dire need of thoughts and prayers after losing one of their own while battling a 3-alarm fire in the East End.
Firefighter Marcelo Garcia, 42, was tragically killed Wednesday just before 11 p.m. when crews were called to a warehouse covered in flames on Supply Row near Polk Street off Hwy 90.
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A visibly distraught Chief Thomas Munoz said Garcia served with HFD for 10 years, the last six of which were with Station 23.
“Every day, he woke up to serve the public, just like all our brothers and sisters in the Houston Fire Department,” Chief Munoz added fighting through tears. “His reason was to serve the public; save lives, as the mayor said, so others can feel safe; a remarkable man who gave the ultimate sacrifice. And every firefighter that puts on that shirt, that patch, that badge, that’s the reason.”
Mayor John Whitmire, who stood by the brokenhearted fire chief during the news conference, noted he recently met with Firefighter Garcia and described him as an exemplary model of a dedicated hero who gave the ultimate sacrifice for the City of Houston.
“We’ve lost such a fine firefighter in Garcia and we’re not going to forget him,” he said. “We will honor firefighter Garcia across this city; we will not forget him. But when these officers - when they go to work each and every day, we need to thank our lucky stars that we live in Houston, Texas, where we take care of our firefighters.”
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Dozens of law enforcement officials, and first responders, including former HFD Chief Samuel Pena, also took to social media to share their condolences to Garcia’s family and the HFD in light of these tragic circumstances.
With a heavy heart, I express my deepest condolences to Firefighter Marcelo Garcia’s family, friends and the entire @HoustonFire Dept in this painful moment. Incredibly sad and tragic news. We honor FF Garcia’s dedication and memory 🙏🏽 https://t.co/5CSvY2tSmS
— Samuel Peña (@ChiefSamPena) November 7, 2024
“It’s the news we never want to have to share,” Pena said.
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We join our colleagues in the @HoustonFire in mourning the loss of Firefighter Marcelo Garcia. Our thoughts and prayers are with Firefighter Garcia, his family, and the entire Houston Fire Department. https://t.co/JcEO5PNkzo pic.twitter.com/atv6yt6rvJ
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) November 7, 2024
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Firefighter Garcia, his family, and the entire Houston Fire Department,” Harris Co. Sheriff Ed Gonzalez added.
The HPD family extends prayers and deepest condolences to Firefighter Garcia’s family members, loved ones and his @HoustonFire family.
— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) November 7, 2024
Firefighter Garcia is a hero and dedicated public servant who made the ultimate sacrifice. May he rest in peace.#hounews https://t.co/ovlvwXpSs3
We stand in solidarity with the @HoustonFire as they mourn the loss of one of their own firefighters. We pray for peace and comfort for the family, friends and department during this time. https://t.co/2kN6zU2NeO
— @hcfmo (@hcfmo) November 7, 2024
injuries from battling a 4-alarm fire in the East End.
— Mark Herman, Harris County Constable Precinct 4 (@Pct4Constable) November 7, 2024
Houston firefighters arrived on the scene around 11 p.m. and found heavy flames coming from the warehouse. While putting out the fire, a wall fell on three of the men.
Our sympathies this morning are with the Houston Fire Department, which suffered the tragic loss of a dedicated firefighter while on duty last night. We honor his memory and offer prayers for his grieving family. @HoustonFire #neverforgotten #hounews pic.twitter.com/m71AQLbl4b
— HCSOHonorGuard (@HCSOHonorGuard) November 7, 2024