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.