Porterville Fire: Teens Arrested In California Library Blaze That Killed A Firefighter

Arrests have been made in a fatal library fire in Porterville, California, that killed a firefighter and left another missing. Porterville Police said two 13-year-old boys seen running from the fire after it started on Tuesday have been arrested on suspicion of arson, conspiracy and manslaughter.

The fire, which was first reported at around 4:15 p.m., killed Fire Capt. Raymond Figueroa, who joined the department in 2007. Firefighter Patrick Jones, 25, has not been seen since the blaze. He started with the Porterville Fire Department in 2017. Tulare County Fire Department Capt. Joanne Bear confirmed Jones had been in the burning library when contact with him was lost.

“Because this is an active investigation involving juveniles, no further information is being released at this time,” officials close to the case said.

Employees at the library called 911 after spotting flames in the children’s section. The building, which housed more than 77,000 books, was built in 1953 and lacked a sprinkler system. More than 50 firefighters from several departments responded to the blaze.

The cost of a new library for the city had recently been estimated at $33 million.

“Prayers for the Porterville City Fire Department,” Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux said 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.”