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4 firefighters killed in Houston fire mourned

Posted May 31, 2013 5:00 pm

Associated Press

Flames erupt Friday from the Southwest Inn on U.S. 59 in Houston. Associated Press/Houston Chronicle, Cody Duty

HOUSTON — Among the four firefighters killed while battling a Houston motel and restaurant fire were veterans of the department and a newcomer just a month out of the academy.

One of those killed Friday was 29-year-old Robert Garner. His father, Jerry Veuleman, told the Houston Chronicle (http://bit.ly/1aMsrEe ) that Garner was proud of his work and had set his sights on becoming a firefighter after leaving the military. He joined the department in 2010.

The fire broke out along a busy freeway, and was the deadliest in the 118-year history of the department.

The others who died were: 35-year-old Capt. Matthew Renaud, an 11-year veteran of the department; 41-year-old Robert Bebee, who joined almost 12 years ago; and 24-year-old rookie firefighter Anne Sullivan. She had graduated from the training academy in April.

Firefighters try to gain control of a blaze Friday at the Southwest Inn on U.S. 59 in Houston. Associated Press/Houston Chronicle, Cody Duty

The Friday fire that engulfed a Houston motel has killed four firefighters. Associated Press/Houston Chronicle, Cody Duty

Flames spread and were shooting from the roof, blanketing the area in thick smoke, before firefighters extinguished the blaze about two hours later. Associated Press/Houston Chronicle, Cody Duty

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