An arson charge has been filed against the suspect accused of setting fire to a warehouse that killed firefighter Marcelo Garcia. says HFD

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — New arson charges have been filed against a suspect accused of starting a three-alarm fire at a warehouse that killed one Houston Fire Department firefighter and injured another late Wednesday night in east Houston.

The Houston Fire Department’s arson bureau has announced a first-degree arson charge against a 38-year-old who they determined purposefully set the vacant fire on Polk Street near Wayside Driver just before 11 p.m.

The video above is from the initial report.

Fire officials said firefighter Marcelo “Ox” Garcia III responded to the scene with HFD, where a second alarm was required before an emergency call was activated when a wall collapsed, killing the 42-year-old.

HFD said another firefighter was injured and suffered no serious injuries, but Garcia was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Garcia has served with the department for 10 years and has spent the last six years on the southeast side of Station 23 on Lawndale Street.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office will continue the investigation.

“These charges are the first step in a long healing process for this city’s firefighters,” said HFD Fire Chief Thomas Muñoz. “I would like to express my personal gratitude to our Arson Bureau, the Houston Police Department and the METRO Police Department for their cooperation in this investigation.”

The Houston Fire Department said the suspect was not in custody as of Saturday morning.