In the single deadliest day for the Houston Fire Department since it began in 1895, 4 heroic Houston firefighters died in a roof collapse at the Southwest Inn as they were searching for motel guests that might have been trapped or injured by the 5-alarm blaze. 5 other firefighters were injured, two of them critically, and remain hospitalized at this time from the deadly motel fire.
Our Houston structural collapse attorneys mention that on only three other occasions, in 1929 when 3 died when a train struck their fire engine, and in 1953 and 2000 when two firefighters fell, has the Houston Fire Department suffered multiple fatalities in the line of duty.
The over 100 firefighters at the scene of the deadly motel fire at the Southwest Inn were battling not just the flames, but intense humidity, high winds, heat above 90 degrees, and dehydration. Our Houston structural collapse attorneys note that the Southwest Inn is along U.S. 59, one of Houston’s busiest freeways, and the black smoke from the blaze also hampered visibility and tied up traffic on U.S. 59 as lanes were blocked for safety.
The deadly Houston fire broke out about noon, quickly spread from the restaurant into the Southwest Inn motel structure, and required almost 4 hours to extinguish. A roof collapse in the motel that entrapped the fallen firefighters is blamed for the four tragic deaths.
The deadly motel fire started in Bhojan, a vegetarian Indian restaurant attached to the Southwest Inn. One motel guest says he heard three loud explosions as he was leaving the Inn that felt like they picked up the hotel and dropped it back down again. Our Houston structural collapse attorneys point out that the deadly Houston fire is being investigated as a possible arson or explosion, and officials from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives are on the scene to conduct the investigation.
The four fallen firefighters are:
- Captain Matthew Renaud, an 11-year veteran of the Department,
- Engineer Operator Robert Bebee, a 12-year veteran,
- Firefighter Robert Garner, a 12 1/2-year veteran of the Department, and
- Probationary Firefighter Anne Sullivan, who had just graduated from the Fire Department Training Academy in April.
A ceremonial ambulance procession under motorcycle escort proceeded past the black-draped fallen firefighters’ station to honor the heroic firefighters who fell in the line of duty. (Sources: Associated Press; and Dale Lezon, Houston Chronicle, 5/31/2013)
The Houston structural collapse attorneys at Denena Points, PC honor the bravery and heroism of the four fallen firefighters and of all the firefighters who risk their lives for us all on a daily basis. Our sincere condolences go out to the families and friends of the fallen. Our hearts and prayers are also with the injured firefighters at this time hoping for their safe and complete recoveries from the injuries received in the line of duty.
Structural Collapses in Burning Buildings present Grave Dangers to Firefighters on the Job.
A roof collapse in a burning building, the sudden fall of a support beam, or the fall of a burning exterior wall can all entrap firefighters and civilians alike, leading to serious or fatal injuries. Just yesterday in Detroit, two firefighters were injured when the burning wall of a commercial building rained bricks and debris onto them. And our Houston structural collapse attorneys sadly note that today a roof collapse at the Southwest Inn tragically led to the single deadliest day for our own Houston Fire Department. Click the link to learn more about the deadly hazards of structural collapses in burning buildings to our heroic firefighters.
Read More About Southwest Inn Roof Collapse claims lives of 4 Houston Firefighters…