Representative

Independent Investigation Expected in Thanksgiving Tower Fire

Families of two of the three men killed in a fire underground at Thanksgiving Tower in downtown Dallas have turned to Dallas Attorney Domingo Garcia for help. They want answers about a deadly fire that killed three men working on a thermal storage tank used as part of the building’s heating and air condition system.

"We just want to make sure there is justice, figure out what happened," said Efrain Carrillo, the son of one of the men.

Garcia says the men were inside the tank using torches to cut away corroded components. He accuses the companies who contracted the men for not providing enough safety equipment.

“They did not have the proper equipment, there was no oxygen, no proper safety procedure in place,” Garcia said. “The only exit was through a lift and there was no proper ventilation.” Garcia says the men were trapped.

But, at the heart of questions over safety are three grieving families. Thirty-six-year-old Oscar Esparza-Romo, 43-year-old Luis Carrillo and his uncle 60-year-old Nicacio Carrillo were killed.

Esparza was a husband and father to four young children.

“The kids they’re in shock still,” said Jose Velasquez, a spokesman for the Esparza family, “They won’t understand what happened and why it happened.”

Nicacio Carrillo’s son says his father did everything to provide for his four children.

“My dad used to be a happy person, he was a friend of everybody,” Efrain Carrillo said.

Efrain Carrillo said his father didn’t have adequate training. He starting working just three months before and spent the previous five years in the food service industry as a waiter.

“My kids they loved him, they’re still shocked, they still want him to come back,” Carrillo said.

Carrillo’s nephew, 43-year-old Luis Carrillo, also died in the fire.

“It’s heartbreaking to lose not only one but two,” Carrillo said.

The Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration is investigating the circumstances around the fire. They could not comment on what type of equipment the men had with them in the tank.

NBC 5 reached out to Best Mechanical, the company who subcontracted the men, and Lincoln Property Co., the company that manages the building for comment but did not hear back. A representative for Best Mechanical previously told NBC 5 there were both safety equipment and procedures in place.
 

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