Local News
Houston firefighter Marcelo Garcia dies battling warehouse fire in Greater East End
Another firefighter was also injured in the collapse but is expected to recover.
The Houston Fire Department (HFD) is grieving the loss of one of its dedicated firefighters, Marcelo Garcia, 42, who tragically lost his life while combating a three-alarm warehouse fire in Houston’s Greater East End on Wednesday night.
Garcia, a respected 10-year veteran stationed at Station 23, was killed when a wall collapsed as crews fought the intense blaze.
Another firefighter was also injured in the collapse but is expected to recover.
The emergency began shortly before 11 p.m. as firefighters responded to reports of a fire at a warehouse located on Supply Row, near Polk Street, just west of Highway 90.
The fire rapidly intensified, prompting officials to call a second alarm at 11:04 p.m. Shortly after, amid the growing danger, a mayday alert was issued due to the wall collapse, leading to a third alarm as reinforcements rushed to the scene.
Garcia and his injured colleague were quickly transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Texas Medical Center.
HFD Chief Thomas Muñoz noted that Critical Incident Stress Management teams have been activated to support the firefighting team affected by the tragedy and to offer assistance to Garcia’s family.
Chief Muñoz issued a heartfelt statement, “We ask the City of Houston to keep the Garcia family and the Houston Fire Department in your prayers as we mourn our brother.”
Houston Mayor John Whitmire also expressed deep sorrow over the loss, highlighting the tremendous sacrifice made by first responders.
“This is the hardest part of my role as mayor of this great city – to respond to a tragedy involving one of our first responders, one of our heroes,” he said. “On behalf of the citizens of Houston, I offer my deepest condolences to the Garcia family.”
As HFD, the city, and Garcia’s loved ones cope with the loss, his bravery and dedication to protecting Houston will be honored and remembered.
The investigation into the cause of the fire and collapse is ongoing, and updates will be provided as they emerge.
Clark County, WA – Authorities are investigating a helicopter crash that occurred Monday evening in the Amboy area of Clark County.
The Clark County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) received reports of the incident at approximately 6:09 p.m., with the crash site located near 449th Street and NE Yale Bridge Road.
Emergency personnel from Fire District 10 responded quickly to the scene.
Upon arrival, crews confirmed that the helicopter’s two occupants had successfully exited the aircraft without injury.
Despite the fortunate outcome, firefighters identified a significant fuel leak originating from the wreckage.
Out of an abundance of caution and to mitigate environmental risks, the Washington State Department of Ecology was notified and is now involved in managing the fuel spill.
Both the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have been informed of the incident and will be conducting a full investigation to determine the cause of the crash.
Deputies with the CCSO remain on scene to secure the area and will maintain control until it is officially turned over to federal investigators.
At this time, no additional information has been released.
Updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.