Union: FD turned away ahead of Astroworld festival

The head of Houston's firefighters union says Houston fire department members were turned away when they tried to do a safety inspection of the Astroworld music festival ahead of the event.

IAFF Local 341 President Marty Lancton told The Associated Press Tuesday that firefighters were instead given a map of the venue and told that safety at the event would be handled by a private firm, and that Houston fire did not have jurisdiction.

Lancton said while Harris County is manages the NRG Center where the festival is held, it is the Houston Fire Department that would respond to an emergency, and that the department has "long advocated" for firefighters and paramedics to be brought inside the venue during the event.

"It's very difficult to see what you can't see," he said. "Ther difference in getting to somebody in a minute or five minutes is critical when somebody is in need."

IMAGE: AP