Orchestra director’s husband dies after fire breaks out at Texas high school concert

The husband of a high school orchestra director died weeks after suffering burns from a fire during a fundraising concert, Texas officials say.

The accidental flash fire happened Oct. 21 at Austin High School. The school’s orchestra program was hosting its Monster Concert and Carnival event.

Austin Fire Department officials and the Austin-Travis County EMS said three people were injured when fuel tanks caught fire. It’s believed one of the gas tanks ignited when it got too close to a grill, fire officials told KVUE.

Among the injured was Sam Herrera, the husband of orchestra director Ana Solis-Herrera. He suffered burns to 60% of his body, KVUE reported.

He died Wednesday, Nov. 8, the orchestra program said in a Facebook post.

“Sam was such a generous and devoted supporter of the AHS Orchestra program — building haunted houses, painting practice rooms, cooking and planning and so much more, but most of all giving his time and positivity to the kids,” the program said in its post.

A GoFundMe, which said he died surrounded by his family, called Herrera “so incredibly kind and engaging.”

“We know so many in our AHS community love and care about Ms. Solis Herrera and her children,” Austin High School Principal Melvin Bedford said in a statement to the Austin American-Statesman. “We hold the family in our hearts and thoughts as they navigate this tremendous loss and ask that you respect the family’s privacy during this time.”

This story was originally published November 9, 2023 at 11:01 AM with the headline "Orchestra director’s husband dies after fire breaks out at Texas high school concert."