CHIEF negotiator dies in east Houston house fire Thread II

The Houston Chronicle ^ | October 4, 2001 | S.K. Bardwell/ posted by Taxman

[Admin Moderator]

A 53-year-old man died in an early morning house fire in southeast Houston today.

The man, whose name has not yet been released [I confirmed that this was, indeed, my FRiend, Herb Meadows, known to all of us on FRee Republic by his screen name, "CHIEF negotiator"] was found by Houston firefighters in a bathroom in the rear of his home in the 8000 block of Glencrest, after the house burned about 1:30 a.m.

Firefighters said the man's wife told them she was watching television in the home's living room when she heard a loud pop and her husband shouting from the back of the home.

The woman tried unsuccessfully to rescue her husband, firefighters said. She was taken to St. Luke's Hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation symptoms.

Firefighters said it appeared the man tried to get out of the burning home, but the heavy smoke entered the bathroom, where he collapsed.

Arson investigators are at the scene of the fire this morning looking for its cause.

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My heart is filled with sadness to have to report this terrible news. CHIEF was a FRiend and a soul brother to me. CHIEF will be missed, but NEVER forgotten.

Please join me in praying for CHIEF negotiator and his family. We have lost a FRiend, a true American Patriot and a long time FRee Republic activist.
Taxman

[Admin Moderator]

Thread I

[Askel5]

Oh my gosh ... this is terrible news.

[Askel5]

I'm very sorry. You and the Chief's family and friends will be in my thoughts and prayers. He's in a better place, I know.

[Ditto]

A sad loss for his extended family here on FreeRepublic. Chief was one of the best. He will be missed.

[ChaseR]

This is horrible news. I knew CHIEF and attended many Houston area FReeps with him over the past years . Good man, so sad.

[abner]

This is so sad. He was definitely one of the good guys.

Too much of this stuff this year.

[SmartBlonde]

I ALWAYS read his posts, and even on occasions when I disagreed with him, greatly admired the clarity of thought and his devotion to his country (and to Free Republic). Did he have a family other than his wife? Is she a Freeper?

[humblegunner]

I saw that on the local news this morning..
a tragedy..

[dandelion]

Does his wife have everything she needs? I know that CHIEF NEGOTIATOR is more concerned about her now than anything else... if there is a fund set up or if she has needs, please let us know.

[NittanyLion]

What a terrible loss. God Bless CHIEF Negotiator and his family.

[SusanUSA]

Such horrible news. ;-(

He was one of the first FReepers I recognized daily and made wonderfully insightful contributions to this site. He will be sorely missed. Thoughts and prayers are with his wife, family, and friends.

[jellybean]

My heart is heavy with this sad news. You'll be missed Chief. I didn't get a chance in this life, but hope to meet you on the other side.

[Roscoe]

Rest in Peace.

[noexcuses]

Sad news. My prayers are with his family. Please forward any info if a fund is set up.

[Rheo]

God Bless you Chief, you will be missed greatly. My prayers to his family and friends.

Thank you for your service to our country and for touching our lives with your spirit.

[Wright is right!]

Trying, for the moment, to get away from the one-line replies - not because their sentiments aren't welcome, because they ARE - but to try to extract some more meaningful information as to exactly what happened.

CHIEF's wife heard a loud "pop." What was that? Gas water heater explosion?
How did CHIEF get so overcome by smoke so quickly? He was overcome in the bathroom. Couldn't he feel his way out if smoke was the only immediate peril to him?
He was on very familiar ground - his own home. He'd know every nook and cranny. Was he cut off by flames? Was the bathroom windowless?

I'm just confused by the lack of information in the story. To read it, something went "pop" and almost instantaneously CHIEF was overcome by smoke. I think we need more information on this tragedy. Rest with God, CHIEF.

Michael

[cmsgop]

I will never forget CHIEF negotiator.

He was the first to ever Flame me.

You Never forget your first flame on this board.

We quickly got over that though......He was a True Patriot and a Defender of Liberty and to me will always be a corner stone of this place!

I am sooooo sorry and sad about this..........Semper Fi, Friend.

[jo6pac]

RIP, Gyrene.

[A Navy Vet]

Rest in peace, Patriot. Someone may want to contact his 2nd Force Recon buddies.

[Inspectorette]

Very sad news - prayers are going out as I write this...