UPDATE: Two Houston firefighters killed in overnight fire. Video and more details from house fire on Oak Vista.
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The image above is the dispatch record online for the house fire where two Houston firefighters were killed early this morning.
Houston Fire Department Station 26
Just a few hours after learning of the death of the bicyclist crushed in the March 30 collision of two Houston fire trucks, we are now hearing of two Houston firefighters who died in an overnight house fire.
The firefighters died while battling the fire at Oak Vista and Deleon in Southeast Houston. The call came in at 12:14 AM.
KTRK-TV has video. Click here.
Here is what Chief Billy Goldfeder at FirefighterCloseCalls.com was able to confirm so far:
We deeply regret to advise you that 2 Houston Firefighters have died in the LINE OF DUTY at a dwelling fire in Houston late early this morning. Very early reports indicate that a 53 year old Captain and a rookie Firefighter lost their lives. The fire occurred in southeast Houston around midnight at a dwelling fire. HFD Captain Tommy Dowdy did confirm both Line of Duty deaths. Additional and very preliminary info indicates that Firefighters were inside the house doing a search (there was a victim who was rescued) and attacking the fire. But at some point, the fire conditions became very heavy and all of the firefighters were ordered to get out of the house. Upon accountability, it was realized that 2 Firefighters were unaccounted for and still inside the structure. The fire conditions at this point were very heavy….as soon as Firefighters were able to get back in, they found the two missing Firefighters. At least one person was inside the home when the fire started and that person was rescued by Firefighters. More details to follow. Our most sincere condolences to the HFD and all the members and families of the fallen Firefighters.
Excerpts from KHOU-TV’s story:
Fire fighters officials say that when units arrived, heavy smoke and some flames were coming out of a one story home.
Firefighters cut a hole in the roof, but the high wind fueled the fire and it quickly spread through the attic. In order to attack the fire, the chief decided to go defensive and use the ladder truck.
During roll call, it was discovered that two firefighters were missing.
A mayday was called. But because of the intensity of the fire, it was about five to ten minutes before crews were able to make it back inside to search for the men.
Excerpts from KTRK-TV’s story:
When firefighters arrived on the scene they apparently took an aggressive approach to fighting the fire. Fire crews went inside the house and tried to put the flames out from inside. But at some point, the flames got too intense and all of the firefighters were ordered to get out.
It was then when rescue crews then realized that two of their own were unaccounted for and still inside the home. The flames at that point, were too intense for firefighters to back inside the house. But as soon as rescue crews were able to get back in they found the two missing firefighters.
At 4:26am, Houston firefighters lined up outside the burned home and formed two lines, they then saluted as two stretchers passed by. These are the first steps down the path of bringing their fallen brothers home.
“The fire has apparently destroyed the entire house, the lives of our family and the fire department has been touched and the lives of the citizens of Houston as well,” said Rick Flannigan with the Houston Fire Department. “It is going to take us a while to get things squared away.”
At least one person was inside the home when the fire broke out. That person was rescued by crews.
Google Maps Street View of the dead end of Oak Vista at Deleon. Oak Vista continues a bit to the east. Click the image to see the neighborhood.
