HOUSTON – It was certainly a sad day for Houston and its Fire Department as the community laid fallen firefighter, Marcelo “Ox” Garcia III, to rest.
BACKGROUND: HFD announces funeral proceedings for fallen firefighter
The 42-year-old died in the line of duty while battling a warehouse fire in the east end, last week. His public funeral was held at 9 a.m. at Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart downtown.
Right before the funeral, there was a procession where Garcia was transported from Station 8 to the church. During the funeral, Houston Mayor John Whitmire delivered remarks and a proclamation honoring the fallen hero.
Dozens of individuals and various fire departments are expected to show up and pay their respects to the fallen firefighter, who spent 10 years with HFD, spending the last six with Station 23.
“It’s a somber mood this morning, we gather here to lay our brother to rest,” HFD Captain and public information officer, Sedrick Robinett said Wednesday morning. “We have a lot of different agencies coming to support the Houston Fire Department, and I’ll tell you what the citizens really shown support it’s been very healing for us members of the fire department and for Marcelo Garcia’s family, we appreciate the support from the community.”
Garcia was among several firefighters, who were called to an abandoned warehouse on Supply Row and Polk. A wall collapsed injuring him and another firefighter while they were putting the heavy flames out. Sadly, Garcia didn’t survive his injuries and died at the hospital.
READ MORE: A True Hero:’ Houston firefighter dies battling 3-alarm fire at an East End warehouse
Yesenia Mendez Espinoza, meanwhile, has been charged with First Degree Arson, investigators say she is to blame for starting the fire and was arrested over the weekend, and held on a $100,000 bond.