In Memory of Raymond Figueroa

Porterville Fire Captain Raymond Figueroa, 35, died during an attempted rescue February 18th, as crews struggled to put out a massive fire at the Porterville library.

A second firefighter, Patrick Jones, also perished in the fire.

Porterville and Tulare County firefighters began trying to knock down the flames, which were first noticed in the children’s section, around 4:15 p.m. as flames engulfed the two-story library.

The public library — built in 1953 — did not have a sprinkler system. Librarians evacuated those inside and alerted police to two suspicious teenagers seen running away. Two 13 year old Porterville boys have been arrested on charges of arson, manslaughter and conspiracy charges.

At this time, FF Jones body has yet to be found in the rubble as crews work 24/7 with the Fresno Fire USAR Team and cadaver dogs to locate and remove our fallen hero.

Captain Figueroa had been with the department since 2007.