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The fire department identified the dead firefighters as Capt. Matthew Renaud, 35, an 11-year veteran of the department; Engineer Operator Robert Bebee, 41, who joined the department almost 12 years ago; Firefighter Robert Garner, 29, who joined the department 12 1/2 years ago; and Probationary Firefighter Anne Sullivan, 24, who graduated from the department's training academy in April. Jeff Caynon, president of the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association, said the victims included three men and one woman. "Houston firefighters mourn the loss of our three brothers and our sister and will forever honor their sacrifices," Caynon said. "This tragedy underscores the inherent dangers of ourĀ profession." Officials said the five injured firefighters likely would remain hospitalized for at least the night. The blaze broke out just after noon at a restaurant and bar at the motel, then quickly spread to the section of the building housing the motel. About 150 firefighters responded and were able to get it under control within about two hours. Front desk clerk Martha Lopez told the Houston Chronicle that a restaurant employee ran into the hotel saying a fire had started in the restaurant. The two began knocking on doors and windows telling guests to get out of the hotel. Lopez had 45 registered guests at the time. Sammy Sewell, who had been staying at the hotel, said he walked out of his room and heard yelling. He said he turned a corner, saw three women screaming and running at him down a hallway. Then he heard three blasts. "Next thing you know, it was 'boom!' It scared the crap out of me. I mean, it sounded like a cannon going off. That's how loud it was," Sewell told the newspaper. "I could have sworn it picked this building up and put it back down."
[Associated
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