Fallen Porterville firefighters honored during remembrance event

The city of Porterville held a remembrance Friday to honor the two firefighters who died during a massive fire at the Porterville library.

The remembrance event started at 4:14 p.m. Friday at Centennial Park. The starting time holds significance because that’s when the deadly library fire began Tuesday.

“We grieve and we mourn with the families of Captain Ray Figueroa and firefighter Patrick Jones,” said Porterville Mayor Martha Flores.

Figueroa and Jones were killed while trying to ensure no one was trapped inside the city library during the raging fire, according to Porterville Fire Chief Dave Lapere.

Authorities believe the fire was intentionally set on fire by two 13-year-old Porterville boys, who were arrested Wednesday morning and face manslaughter, arson and conspiracy charges.

The remembrance also served as a time to publicly thank the many first responders who “selflessly assisted the City this week.”

This story was originally published February 20, 2020 at 7:09 PM.