Woman accused of setting fire to East End that killed Houston firefighter now charged with murder

HOUSTON, Texas – The 38-year-old woman accused of starting a warehouse fire that left a firefighter dead on Houston’s East Side is facing two new charges.

Yesenia Espinoza Mendez has since been charged with murder in connection with his death 42-year-old firefighter Marcelo Garcia and arson -bodily injury in connection with injured firefighter Shane Cox. Mendez had previously been charged only with first-degree arson.

What happened?

On Nov. 6, firefighters from the Houston Fire Department responded to a warehouse fire on Supply Row near Polk Street that was allegedly set intentionally by Mendez.

Officials said a wall collapsed and two firefighters (Garcia and Cox) were injured while fighting the massive fire. Unfortunately, Garcia died in hospital, while Cox suffered minor injuries and is expected to be OK.

Days after the fatal fire, Espinoza was taken into custody.

He has a lengthy criminal history dating back to 2009, according to Harris County court records. His previous charges included multiple assault charges involving partners, two DWIs and a child endangerment charge.

HFD said its department hasn’t experienced the loss of one of its own while fighting a fire since the 2013 Southwest Inn fire, which killed several firefighters.