There’s deep grief for 4 firefighters killed in the line of duty. They were in Houston, but firefighters all over the nation are a family, so I know local departments are also feeling the pain.
Firefighter EMT Robert Garner, probationary firefighter Anne Sullivan, Engineer Operator EMT Robert Bebee and Capt. EMT Matthew Renaud were killed while searching for victims they feared for trapped.
The fire started a restaurant but quickly spread to the attached motel. When fire teams arrived, they had every reason to believe that guests had to be in danger.
So, when everyone else runs from a fire, firefighters rush in … hoping to save lives.
Part of the building collapsed and the 4 firefighters were trapped. Others tried in vain to reach them; as one Houston firefighter said, There were several heroic stories.
14 other firefighters were rushed to the hospital; at last check one remains in critical condition.
This was the deadliest fire in the 118 year history of the Houston Fire Department.
35 year old Capt. Renaud had been with department for 11 1/2 years. 41 year old Bebee served almost 12 years; 29 year old Garner joined 2 ½ years ago.
24 year old Anne Sullivan had graduated from the Houston Fire Department Academy … about a month ago. Her father said, Anne wanted to be a firefighter since she was a little girl.