Firefighters travel hours to fill in at Houston stations so they can attend memorial

June 6, 2013

Nearly 160 firefighters travelled 4 hours both ways on their day off to work in Houston fire stations so local firefighters could attend a memorial service for three men and one woman killed in an apartment fire.

The firefighters came from Dallas, Forth Worth, and New Orleans to fill the Houston stations responding to phone calls and handling a constant flow of locals walking in to pay their respects.

Captain Danny Windle lost two men in the deadly fire.

"It is emotional to see all of the public support here and we know what they're going through," said Windle.

"It is really the least we could do," said Dallas firefighter Lt. Diane Swaner.

Crews were expected to remain in Houston until nightfall when the hometown crews could return to man their operations.

The majority of the city's 4,000-person department was expected to attend the memorial service at Reliant Stadium. Fire engines from Dallas and New Orleans and other cities joined a procession leading to the stadium.

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Full Story: WFAA.com | Image: Robert Flagg / WFAA