Houston Firefighters Pause to Remember 'Darkest Day' in Department

June 1, 2023
Five firefighters were killed in a collapse at the Southwest Inn fire 10 years ago Wednesday.

Houston firefighters paused Wednesday to remember five bravest who gave the ultimate sacrifice 10 years ago.

It was a typical Friday morning with firefighters doing their station duties, but it would later turn into anything but.

They could see the column of smoke when they left the station responding to a fire at the Southwest Inn, Houston Assist Chief Michael Mire told KPRC.

Capt. Bill Dowling was leading a rescue attempt when a roof collapsed killing Firefighters Robert Bebee, Matthew Renaud, Anne Sullivan and Robert Garner. Thirteen others were injured in the blaze.

Dowling was seriously hurt in the collapse. He died in 2017.

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