HOUSTON – The Houston Fire Department hasn’t experienced the loss of one of its own while battling a fire since the 2013 Southwest Inn Fire that killed several firefighters.
Houston Fire Chief Thomas Munoz couldn’t fight back tears as he described who 42-year-old Marcelo Garcia was and his impact on the department.
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Garcia woke up every day ready to serve to public along with his brother and sisters in the Houston Fire Department, Munoz said.
On Nov. 6, Garcia made “the ultimate sacrifice” when he along with his crew responded to a warehouse fire just before 11 p.m. on Supply Row near Polk Street off Hwy 90. While battling the large blaze, a wall collapsed while firefighters were inside, injuring Garcia and another firefighter.
Garcia was rushed to a nearby hospital where he died from his injuries. The other firefighter suffered minor injuries and was listed in OK condition.
The fallen firefighter dedicated 10 years of his life to serving the Houston Fire Department. His last six years were spent at Station 23.
MORE: ‘A True Hero:’ Houston firefighter dies battling 3-alarm fire at an East End warehouse
“Every day, he woke up to serve the public, just like all our brothers and sisters in the Houston Fire Department,” Chief Munoz said. “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.
“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.”
Outside of his firefighting duties, Garcia also reportedly worked as a real estate agent for Casa Antigua Realty.
The real estate company described him as “humble and down to earth person, hard worker and a go getter. A good friend.”
The Houston Mayor’s Office announced it will honor Garcia’s life by flying its flags at half-staff on Thursday.
1/3 Last night, we lost a true hero. Today our flags are flying at half-staff in honor of Houston firefighter, Marcelo Garcia. pic.twitter.com/cXvoIH41J8
— Houston Mayor's Office (@houmayor) November 7, 2024
Line of duty deaths in the past seven years at HFD
The last death the department experienced was in 2017 Captain William “Iron Bill” Dowling, one of the firefighters injured in the Southwest Inn fire. Dowling’s death was listed as a “line-of-duty” due to complications from injuries he sustained in the 2013 fire.
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His injuries included the amputation of both legs and brain damage for four years before his death.
PHOTOS: HFD Capt. Bill Dowling through the years
In 2014, Daniel Groover, a Houston firefighter also died while battling a 2-alarm blaze in the Kingwood area. Firefighters attacked the fire and went inside not knowing if anyone was home. No people were inside, but several dogs had to be rescued.
PREVIOUS: Firefighter dies battling house fire in Kingwood area
Groover, 46, was on the second floor with a crew when he collapsed.
According to HFD, CPR was performed on Groover, who was transported in critical condition to Kingwood Medical Center, where he later died.