NEW : Chief says 24-year - old firefighter who died was ` ` very passionate , very strong '' NEW : 5 of 6 injured firefighters are still in the hospital , fire department captain says . NEW : Houston firefighters are struggling to cope with the loss of their colleagues , he says . Texas : More firefighters have died in 2013 in Houston than in last 10 years combined .
NEW : Friend says 24-year-old firefighter who died was `` very passionate , very strong '' NEW : 5 of 13 injured firefighters are still in the hospital , fire department captain says . NEW : Houston firefighters are struggling to cope with the loss of their colleagues , he adds . Official : More firefighters have died in 2013 in Texas than in last 5 years combined .