Two teens arrested in deadly Porterville Library fire

PORTERVILLE — A silence hung over downtown Porterville Wednesday morning.

Roads remained blocked and two fire engine ladders were raised over the blackened Porterville Public Library.

Water flooded sewer drains. City employees tried to keep up with the debris floating down the gutters. Residents stood behind fire line tape that stretched several blocks of downtown.

Residents have begun bringing flowers and balloons for firefighters to show their support.

A large, deadly fire consumed the library Tuesday evening and claimed the lives of two Porterville firefighters.

More: Librarian: 'Porterville is resilient. We are a strong community'

Fire Capt. Raymond Figueroa, 35, died Tuesday night. He started with the department in 2007. Firefighter Patrick Jones, 25, is still missing. Fire crews believe his body is among the rubble, according to officials. He’s been with the department since 2017.

"With a loss of a fellow firefighter, it hits home for all of us. It not only affects the Porterville City Fire Department families, but it affects all fire service families," said Tulare County Fire Capt. Joanne Bear. "Since the announcement, multiple fire departments have reached out to Porterville City Fire Department offering their help with this tragic loss."

On Wednesday afternoon while visiting Bakersfield to unveil his administration's new California water policy, President Donald Trump honored the fallen firefighters.

“I want to take a moment to honor the two brave Porterville firemen who died protecting a library,” Trump said. "It's a tough and dangerous job."

What happened?

As of Wednesday morning, firefighters were still checking the building to ensure it was safe for crews to enter. Local and state firefighters worked together to clear fallen debris near the entrance of the historic library.

"Crews are working to analyze the structure to ensure the safety of personnel working around and eventually personnel that will go into the structure," Bear said. "They will be checking for hot spots and for investigative purposes."

The fire was reported by library employees around 4 p.m. Many started evacuating the building before fire crews arrived at the library on Thurman Avenue and Main Street. Smoke and flames could be seen from miles away along Highway 65 into the city.

Witnesses said there was heavy black smoke and "fireballs" shooting from the windows as firefighters doused the flames from all angles.

There were no sprinklers inside.

A library full of books presented challenges for first responders, Tulare County Fire Chief Charlie Norman said.

"A library of this size and magnitude has a significant fuel load," Norman said

A third alarm was eventually called as the fire raged and additional resources were requested. Outside agencies, including Fresno County Fire Department, helped cover the city in case any other fires sparked across Porterville.

Armando Robles, a Porterville resident, was taking his daughter to Tulare's Encore Theatre Tuesday afternoon when he noticed a column of smoke.

"It was picking up but I wasn't too concerned," he said Wednesday morning.

By the time he got back to Porterville, the library he grew up visiting was destroyed.

"The library was my home," he said. "It was like watching my home burn."

The fire burned for hours and by noon Wednesday still had not been fully extinguished. Firefighters remained at the scene throughout the night Tuesday and most of Wednesday.

Bank of America and City Hall were closed for the day due to power outages caused by the fire.

Prayers for Porterville

The cause of the fire is unknown.

However, two 13-year-old boys were arrested and booked on suspicion of arson and manslaughter in connection with the fire.

The teenagers are being held at Tulare County Juvenile Detention Center.

Tulare County law enforcement expressed their condolences to Porterville City Fire Department.

"Prayers for the Porterville City Fire Department," Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux said on social media. "They have lost two brave men in a library fire... The city of Porterville mourns their loss and we as a community grieve with them and their families."

At one point, more than 60 pieces of equipment were being used to fight the fire and locate Jones.

Crews from Fresno, Merced, Tulare, Kings County, U.S. Forest Service and Cal Fire assisted fire fighting efforts.

Tulare County sheriff's deputies and Porterville police helped with traffic control and the arson investigation.

Tulare County Fire Capt. Joe Rosa is leading the arson investigation. Fresno City Fire is also lending its arson investigation dog to help with the case and Jones's recovery.