Four fire-fighters die, five injured battling Houston blaze

Firefighters gather at the scene of a fire where four firefighters were killed battling a five-alarm blaze at a restaurant and hotel in southwest Houston May 31, 2013. REUTERS/Richard Carson

HOUSTON (Reuters) - Four fire-fighters died and five others were injured on Friday when a roof collapsed during a blaze at a hotel and restaurant in southwest Houston, fire department and city officials said.

Fire Chief Terry Garrison told a news conference that fire-fighters were searching for people who may have been trapped inside when the roof gave way. "They were in the highest amount of risk possible because we thought we had some civilians in the structure," he said.