1st-degree arson charges filed against woman in E. Houston fire that killed firefighter, HFD says
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The woman accused of setting a vacant warehouse on fire that killed a Houston Fire Department firefighter faced a Harris County Judge on Saturday night.
According to court records, 38-year-old Yesenia Espinoza has been charged with first-degree arson in connection to the death of Marcelo Garcia. Espinoza's bond was set at $100,000.
Charging documents state that the fire happened late Wednesday night on Supply Row Boulevard.
Investigators believe Espinoza intentionally started it with a red light and combustible items. With the help of surveillance video, they saw her leaving the building with multiple handbags and in a black and white dress. They believe the intensity of the flames caused a wall to collapse, and firefighters had to pull Garcia from under the rubble. They tried saving him but couldn't.
RELATED: 1 Houston firefighter killed, another injured while battling warehouse fire in east Houston
HFD said that another firefighter was injured and didn't sustain serious injuries, but Garcia was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Texas State Fire Marshal's Office will continue the investigation.
"This charge is the first step in a long healing process for the firefighters of this city," HFD Fire Chief Thomas Muñoz said. "I want to extend my personal gratitude to our Arson Bureau, the Houston Police Department, and the METRO police department for their collaboration on this investigation."
According to the HFD, Garcia was 42 years old and served with the department for 10 years. For the last six years, he worked on the southeast side at Station 23 on Lawndale Street.
Funeral arrangements for Garcia were announced on Saturday evening, according to fire officials.
