John Lomax V
Houston Chronicle
(TNS)
Nov. 9—The fire that claimed the life of a Houston firefighter this week was intentionally set, Houston police announced Saturday, at the same time city officials said arson charges had been filed against a 38-year-old woman in connection with the deadly warehouse blaze.
Yesenia Mendez was accused of first-degree arson in connection with Wednesday's three-alarm fire in east Houston that killed Houston Fire Department firefighter Marcelo Garcia, according to a City of Houston news release issued Saturday morning.
According to the release, arson investigators said they believe Mendez lit the fire late Wednesday.
"This charge is the first step in a long healing process for the firefighters of this city," said Houston Fire Chief Thomas Muñoz. "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."
Mendez was arrested Saturday afternoon. Court records show that arson investigators identified Mendez leaving the warehouse Wednesday evening just as smoke began to billow from the building. A Metro Police Department used facial recognition software to confirm her identity, according to the documents.
Records indicated Mendez had previously been diagnosed with an unspecified mental illness or intellectual disability. Investigators did not state whether they believed there was any motive for the alleged arson.
Investigators believe Mendez lit the fire using a red lighter and unidentified combustible material. A witness who, according to court records, had lived on the property for two years, was dumpster diving at the time of the fire. He arrived shortly after the fire began, and attempted to extinguish the fire before HFD arrived.
Prosecutors are seeking to deny Mendez bail. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Monday.
The fire began at a warehouse near the 6600 block of Polk Street about 11 p.m. Wednesday, according to the department's active incident tracker. Footage of the blaze captured by OnScene TV showed dozens of firefighters on foot and mounted atop ladders working to extinguish the fire. The warehouse is owned by Jensal Holdings LLC, according to the Harris County Appraisal District's online property site.
The building is among a group of warehouses near the intersection of Polk and Wayside. Workers from a nearby business said they believed the building was vacant, but a person may have been living inside it.
Reporters John Wayne Ferguson and Caroline Wilburn contributed to this article.
___
(c)2024 the Houston Chronicle
Visit the Houston Chronicle at www.chron.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
