An evil Texas woman accused of intentionally starting a fire that killed a beloved firefighter was seen smiling in her mugshot.
Marcelo Garcia, 42, of the Houston Fire Department was killed in the line of duty after he and his crew responded to a fire at a warehouse on Supply Row off Highway 90 around 11 p.m. November 6.
While fighting the three-alarm inferno, a wall collapsed on Garcia and a fellow firefighter. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he later died.
Yesenia Espinoza Mendez, 38, has since been charged with first-degree arson after being arrested Saturday.
It is unclear why or how the fire started, but arson investigators believe the fire was intentionally set by Mendez. KPRC 2 reported.
“This position is the first step in a long healing process for this city’s firefighters,” said Fire Chief Thomas Muñoz.
Marcelo Garcia, 42, of the Houston Fire Department lost his life in the line of duty after he and his crew responded to a warehouse fire around 11 p.m. on Nov. 6.
Yesenia Espinoza Mendez, 38, has since been charged with first-degree arson after being arrested Saturday. Arson investigators believe she intentionally set the fire
The other firefighter who was injured in the fire is in stable condition.
More than 100 firefighters battled the intense fire that is now being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Texas State Fire Marshal’s office.
The fallen firefighter worked for the department for 10 years, having spent the last six months at Station 23.
Muñoz remembered García as a “true hero” who set out to work every day and serve his community.
‘Every day, he got up to serve the public, just like all of our brothers and sisters at the Houston Fire Department.
‘His reason was to serve the public; save lives, as the mayor said, so that others can feel safe; an extraordinary man who made the ultimate sacrifice. And every firefighter who puts on that shirt, that patch, that badge, that’s why,” the fire chief said.
The fallen firefighter (center right) worked for the department for 10 years, having spent the last six months at Station 23.
Garcia also worked part-time as a real estate agent for Casa Antigua Realty.
The company has remembered him as a “humble and down-to-earth person.”
‘God called one of our Casa Antigua Realty real estate agents, Marcelo García, home,’ the company wrote.
‘A good friend. “I will definitely miss his smile and his millions of questions about real estate.”
In honor of Garcia, first responders from across the city gathered as his body was moved from the Forensic Science Center to the funeral home on Sunday.
The emotional video showed a large group of people standing silently as his body was moved.
A photo of him was displayed at NRG Stadium Sunday night during the Texans Game while a large American flag was held across the field.
The Houston Football Association also paid tribute to the fallen firefighter in a Facebook post.
Fire Chief Thomas Muñoz has remembered García as a ‘true hero’ who woke up every day ready to work and serve his community.
“On behalf of the Houston Football Association, we extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Marcelo “Ox” García III.”
The group said all games this weekend will participate in a 23-second moment of silence in honor of Garcia.
Garcia was born and raised in the Magnolia Park neighborhood, where he “was deeply committed to giving back to the people and places he loved,” his the obituary said.
He attended Texas Southern University, where he majored in Business Administration, before committing to a career as a firefighter in 2015.
‘For Marcelo, it was not just a job, it was a vocation. “He loved the camaraderie, the adrenaline and the purpose it brought,” according to the obituary.
Garcia also worked part-time as a real estate agent for Casa Antigua Realty. The company has remembered him as a ‘humble and down-to-earth person’
Garcia is survived by his father, mother, stepmother, stepfather, sister, grandparents and many other family members.
There will be a public viewing for Garcia on Tuesday at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home.
His funeral is scheduled for Wednesday at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in downtown Houston.
According to court documents obtained by KPRC 2Mendez was previously arrested for assault on multiple occasions involving partners, two DWIs, and child endangerment.
He was placed on $100,000 bail over the weekend, and during a hearing Monday a judge reaffirmed it.
If he posts bail, he will have to wear an ankle monitor, according to the outlet.