Houston firefighter Marcelo Garcia killed in warehouse fire; another was injured

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

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

Garcia was a contributing member of the Eleven Foundation for the Magnolia Park Sharks, a soccer team he played on as a child. He donated money for five years.

Marcelo Garcia (Photo: Houston Fire Department)

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 Camp Fire fire in the 6600 block of Polk around 10:50 p.m. Shortly after arriving, firefighters raised a second alarm.

A minute later, around 11:05 p.m., a firefighter called an emergency about a wall collapsing. A third alarm was then triggered.

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

“Unfortunately, one of our brothers, firefighter Marcelo Garcia, 42, passed away. Firefighter Garcia has been with the department for 10 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.

“Every day he rose to serve the public, just like all of our brothers and sisters in the Houston Fire Department,” said Chief Muñoz. “His goal was to serve the public and save lives, as the mayor said, so that others could feel safe. A remarkable man who made the ultimate sacrifice.”

Funeral details will be announced in the coming days.