Two Houston Fire Fighters Killed in House Fire

April 13, 2009 – It is with the deepest regret and sorrow that the IAFF reports the line-of-duty deaths of two Houston, TX Local 341 fire fighters. Captain James A. Harlow, 50, and probationary fire fighter Damion J. Hobbs, 29, died Easter morning while battling a house fire.

“The loss weighs heavily on the hearts and minds of all of us,” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and members of Local 341 during this tragic time.”

"All of us in the 11th District are devastated by the death of our Houston brothers,” says IAFF 11th District Vice President Sandy McGhee. “Despite the dangers, we always expect to go home at the end of our shift. Each time a brother or sister fire fighter makes the ultimate sacrifice, it still comes as a great shock and reminds us that there is no such thing as a 'routine' fire.” McGhee remains in touch with the local and is working to provide any assistance needed.

Reports indicate that fire fighters responding to the fire in a one-story home cut a hole in the roof, but high winds fueled the fire, which quickly spread through the attic. Once the blaze appeared to be dying down, fire fighters went inside the house, but flames shot through the roof and erupted sideways through the home. When fire fighters were called outside, two failed to answer roll call. The bodies were found in the house and pronounced dead at the scene.

The elderly couple who lived in the home made it out safely.

James Harlow, a 30-year veteran fire fighter with the Houston Fire Department, was made captain in 2004. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. "It just feels like a bad dream," fellow fire fighter David Watson told the Houston Chronicle. "No matter the situation, he would spout his reassuring motto, 'Everything is going to be all right.' Somebody else will be able to do his job and fill those shoes, but no one will be able to be the kind of man that he was."

Following a tour of duty with the U.S. Army in Iraq, Damion Jon Hobbs had just graduated from the Houston Fire Department's Val Jahnke Training Facility March 3, fulfilling his life-long dream of becoming a fire fighter. His colleagues in the military and fire department remember Hobbs as a man with a strong sense of duty who never shied away from danger.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. The deaths of Harlow and Hobbs bring the death toll in the Houston Fire Department to seven since 2000.

MEMORIAL AND VIEWING INFORMATION

Consistent with the families' wishes, a memorial service is scheduled for Thursday, April 16, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. at the Grace Community Church at 14505 Gulf Freeway (I-45 & Dixie Farm Road), Houston, TX 77034; (713) 363-2500. The families are arranging for separate and private funerals on Friday, April 17.

The viewing for Brothers Harlow and Hobbs is Wednesday, April 15, 2009, from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Grace Community Church.

The IAFF has arranged reduced room rates for members attending the Houston Memorial Service. The Hilton Americas Houston, 1600 Lamar, Houston, TX 77010, offers a $129/night rate from April 15-17.  Call 800-236-2905 or 713-739-8000 to make your reservation at this rate; you must mention that you are with the FIRE FIGHTERS or use group code: 1-FF.

Send expressions of sympathy or condolences to Local 341 at 1907 Freeman Street, Houston, TX 77009-8334.

More information is also posted on the Local 341 web site.