Firefighter's body found in remains of library blaze allegedly started by 2 teens
02/20/2020 11:05 am PST
via KTLA:
PORTERVILLE, Calif. (KTLA) -- Crews have found the remains of a second firefighter killed while battling a blaze at a public library in central California allegedly started by two 13-year-old boys, authorities said.
The Porterville Fire Department said crews were able to enter the the Porterville Public Library building late Wednesday and found firefighter Patrick Jones' body. Jones, 25, and Capt. Raymond Figueroa, 35, were killed Tuesday.
Two 13-year-old boys were arrested on suspicion of starting the blaze after they were seen running from the library shortly after the fire erupted, Porterville Police Chief Eric Kroutil said
The boys face arson, manslaughter and conspiracy charges. Their names were not released because they are minors.
The blaze was reported at about 4:15 p.m. Tuesday. Staff called 911 when they noticed flames in the children's section of the library, which has about 77,000 books.
Flames shot through the library's roof, which later collapsed. The library is located about a block from the fire department. More than 50 state, county and city crews battled the stubborn blaze for hours.
