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Houston Activist Killed In Building Fire

The following article is from the The Eagle. Activist among 3 killed in Houston office fire By JOE STINEBAKER Associated Press HOUSTON - A budding victims' rights activist planning to testify Thursday against the man charged with sexually assaulting a family member several years ago was instead killed Wednesday in an unrelated fire at her six-story Houston office building. Jeanette Hargrove, 52, of Friendswood, was killed when a fire raged through her fifth-floor office of the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services. But Hargrove had become known to some in Houston as a knowledgeable victims' rights advocate, a role she assumed after a family member's attack. Andy Kahan, the crime victims director for Houston Mayor Bill White, said he spoke with Hargrove only hours before her death. "Jeanette was a very classy lady and was adamant about ensuring that justice be carried out," Kahan said. "Instead of yelling and screaming about the injustice of the world, she took action. I was personally just stunned this morning when I found out. It's just ironic. I felt once her case was over, she would join the ranks as a victims' advocate." The Harris County Medical Examiner's Office was awaiting fingerprint identification of the other two victims, but local media identified them as Marvin Wells, a local assistant pastor, and Shana Ellis. Six others were injured in the fire, including three firefighters. One of those firefighters was treated for leg injuries after part of the building's roof fell on him. The other two are in fair condition with smoke inhalation at Memorial Hermann Hospital. At least two building occupants also were treated and released. Dozens of firefighters still awaited the go-ahead from engineers Thursday before launching a final search for more possible victims. Authorities believe the fire broke out in a medical supply firm on the fifth floor, but they were still investigating.

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