Houston Firefighter Dies After Mayday at Commercial Structure Fire

By Bill Carey
7 November 2024

The Houston Fire Department has announced on Facebook the line-of-duty death of a firefighter during a commercial structure fire on 6 Nov.

In a press conference outside Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, Fire Chief Thomas Muñoz said Firefighter Marcelo Garcia succumbed to injuries received while fighting a fire at 6601 Polk Street.

The fire department received the call at 2250 hours. Firefighters arrived at 2256 hours and called for a second-alarm assignment, Chief Muñoz said.

At 2305 hours, a mayday was transmitted for a wall collapse. Two injured firefighters were transported to Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center where Firefighter Garcia reportedly succumbed to his injuries.

No specific details regarding fireground and mayday operations were provided.

Firefighter Garcia had been with the department for 10 years and was assigned to Station 23 for the last six.

Photograph courtesy of Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association, IAFF Local 341/X.

Published by Data Not Drama

Data Not Drama is writings that provide a point of critical thought about firefighter fatality data and education, line of duty deaths, and risk. The main focus is to encourage less risk aversion and better knowledge on the subject of firefighter fatalities in firefighters, fire departments, and fire service organizations. View more posts