Members of the department , which is the third-biggest in the nation , are leaning on each other to get over the loss of their colleagues . 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 : Fire chief says he is confident that all victims will be released from hospitals within a few days. Official : More firefighters have died in 2013 in Texas than in last 5 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 : Fire chief says he is confident that all victims will be released from hospitals within a few days. Official : More firefighters have died in 2013 in Texas than in last 5 years combined .