Traffic remains virtually at a standstill at the 6800 block of the Southwest Freeway. The lanes not blocked off by the Houston Police Department are clogged with commuters trying to digest the magnitude of what now looks like little more than rubble.
Debris is all that remains of the Southwest Inn on U.S. 59 near Hillcroft — the site of the deadliest day in Houston Fire Department history.
The devastating fire took the lives of four Houston firefighters Friday and left three others hospitalized. One firefighter remains in critical condition while the other two are in stable condition — one hopes to be released late on Monday, Houston Fire Department spokesman Ruy Lozano said Monday afternoon at a press conference at the scene of the fire.
"We had every indication that (the motel) was open to the public and it was normal business hours. That is enough to generate the need to go in."
Behind him a crew composed of the fire department's Arson Bureau; Texas Rangers; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); HPD Homicide and the state fire marshal's office combed through the aftermath of the tragic fire.
Lozano said that the firefighters' initial entry into the burning building, despite the absence of people trapped inside, was "a matter of protocol."
"We had every indication that (the motel) was open to the public and it was normal business hours. That is enough to generate the need to go in and make a primary rapid search to ensure everybody is out," Lozano said.
He reconfirmed the cause of the firefighters' deaths came from the collapse of a portion of the building, the category of the blaze (5-alarm, drawing nearly 200 firefighters from approximately 60 different units) and the location of the majority of the flames (a kitchen in the front of the motel).
Much of the key information has not been released, as the fire is still under investigation. Lozano emphasized that it is "being treated as a crime scene" and that a "sterile environment" must be maintained. However, anyone who may have additional information is encouraged to call the Arson Bureau at (713) 247-8900.
"The fire chief had made it clear he is extremely committed to find out what happened in an effort to learn to prevent it from ever happening again," Lozano said.
Amid all the destruction, an incredible support system has developed, Lozano said. Traditionally the fire department is a "very happy place" to work, but "tensions and emotions are high; we're just trying to get through this by leaning on each other," he said.
Fortunately, teams of counselors have been brought in to help firefighters and their families shaken by the incident. Additionally, the department has received outpourings of support from across Texas as well as from all over the country. Firefighters from far and wide have offered to cover their Houston peers' shifts so they can attend the memorial service for their fallen comrades.
The service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Reliant Stadium. Lozano says they're expecting between 30,000 and 40,000 people at the massive football stadium.
HFD spokesman Ruy Lozano held a press conference on Monday afternoon at the scene of the fire.
