Houston firefighter Marcelo Garcia dies in warehouse fire; another injured

HOUSTON – A Houston firefighter died and another was injured while battling a warehouse fire late Wednesday night, officials said.

The Houston Fire Department identified the firefighter killed in the line of duty as 42-year-old Marcelo Garcia.

The identity of the other injured firefighter has not been released, but officials say the firefighter was not seriously injured.

The fatal incident occurred after Houston firefighters responded to a warehouse fire in the 6600 block of Polk around 10:50 p.m. Shortly after arriving, firefighters called for a second alarm.

A minute later, around 11:05 p.m., a firefighter declared a mayday due to a wall collapse. A third alarm was then sounded.

Houston Fire Chief Thomas Muñoz says two firefighters were injured and taken to the hospital.

“Unfortunately, one of our brothers, Firefighter Marcelo Garcia, 42 years old, has passed away. Firefighter Garcia was with the department for ten years and the last six years were spent at Station 23,” Muñoz said.

The fire chief asks the public to keep Garcia’s family and the department in their prayers.

Details about the funeral will be shared in the coming days.