Firefighters killed in Porterville library blaze started by teens, authorities say
UPDATE: Authorities confirmed Wednesday that two 13-year-olds were booked on manslaughter charges connected to the fire. The firefighters were identified as Ramon “Ray” Figueroa, 35, and Patrick Jones, 25. The teens face manslaughter, arson and conspiracy charges. »» Read the latest story here.
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ORIGINAL STORY: Two Porterville firefighters died Tuesday night as crews struggled to put out a massive fire at the Porterville library, according to Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux.
“Prayers for the Porterville City Fire Department,” Boudreaux posted on Facebook. “They have lost two brave men in a library fire this evening. The city of Porterville mourns their loss and we as a community grieve with them and their families. God bless them all.”
Porterville and Tulare County firefighters began trying to knock down the flames around 4:15 p.m. Tuesday as flames engulfed the two-story library.
The library near Hockett Street and Thurman Avenue — less than a block from where the Porterville Fire Department is located — was open to the public when the fire started.
The identities of the firefighters killed were not immediately known.
Other fire crews, including from the Fresno County Fire Department, arrived later to provide assistance in the fire.
Smoke could be seen miles away coming out of the library, which was built in 1953 and for years has been a popular place for youths to visit.
Tulare County Fire Capt. Joanne Bear confirmed there were no sprinklers inside the library.
Neither the cause of the fire nor how the firefighters died was immediately known, and the fire remains under investigation.
Just last month, Porterville’s City Council held a special joint meeting to discuss the possibility of opening a new library facility or renovating the current building.
This story was originally published February 18, 2020 at 6:42 PM with the headline "Firefighters killed in Porterville library blaze started by teens, authorities say."