HFD announces arson charges have been filed against the woman accused of setting fire to the warehouse where firefighter Marcelo Garcia was killed

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — New arson charges have been filed against a woman accused of setting a three-alarm fire at a warehouse in east Houston on Wednesday evening that killed a Houston Fire Department firefighter and injured another.

The Houston Fire Department Arson Bureau announced that a first-degree arson charge has been filed against a 38-year-old man who they determined to have intentionally ignited a vacant building fire on Polk Street near Wayside Driver just before 11 p.m.

The video above is from us first report.

Yesenia Espinoza Mendez, 38, was charged with arson, according to court records.

Firefighter Marcelo ‘Ox’ Garcia III responded to the scene with HFD, where a second alarm was called before a distress call was initiated when a wall collapsed, killing the 42-year-old, fire officials said.

Another firefighter was injured and did not sustain serious injuries, HFD said, but Garcia was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Garcia served with the department for 10 years, spending the last six years at Station 23 on Lawndale Avenue on the southeast side.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office will continue the investigation.

“This indictment is the first step in a long healing process for this city’s firefighters,” said HFD Fire Chief Thomas Muñoz. he said. “I would like to express my personal gratitude to our Arson Bureau, the Houston Police Department, and the METRO police department for their cooperation in this investigation.”

Funeral arrangements for Garcia were announced Saturday evening, HFD reported.