1 firefighter killed, another missing in fire in San Joaquin Valley town of Porterville
PORTERVILLE — A firefighter was killed and another went missing Tuesday while battling a fire at a Central California library, officials said.
The blaze was reported at about 4:15 p.m. at the Porterville Public Library in Porterville, north of Bakersfield in the San Joaquin Valley, fire officials said.
Staff called 911 when they noticed flames in the children’s section of the library, which has about 77,000 books, city librarian Vikki Cervantes told the Visalia Times Delta.
Flames shot through the roof of the library, which is located about a block from the local Fire Department.
Fire agencies and firefighters reacted with sorrow on social media.
Our hearts are breaking tonight for our brothers and sisters in #Porterville, who lost one of their own #InTheLineOfDuty, and the search goes on for a second firefighter who is unaccounted for. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. #LODD pic.twitter.com/WN8b10h3eP
— LAFD Talk (@LAFDtalk) February 19, 2020
On behalf of Fire Chief Pelaez and the entire Montebello Fire Department, our hearts and prayers go out to the entire Porterville Fire Department, the City of Porterville, and the friends and family of our fallen… https://t.co/8jBjmOldyl
— montebellofd (@montebellofd) February 19, 2020
Our prayers and thoughts go out the the families, Our Brothers & Sisters at the #Porterville Fire Department, those who are on scene battling this blaze and to the community, who lost two Heroes today. #LODD #gonetoosoon #RIPHeroes #PFD pic.twitter.com/EjA50hA1iw
— Downey Fire Department (@downeyfd) February 19, 2020
The story is still developing but our hearts are breaking tonight for our brothers and sisters in Porterville. One lost in the line of duty, and the search goes on for a second firefighter who is unaccounted for. Our thoughts and prayers are with all involved. #LODD pic.twitter.com/bGodYnddKs
— Kern County Firefighters 1301 (@KCFF1301) February 19, 2020
Sending out our deepest condolences to the Porterville Fire Department and their families on the loss of one of their firefighters. Prayers are also sent for the firefighter who remains unaccounted for.
— CA Fire Chiefs Assn. (@CalChiefs_CFCA) February 19, 2020
The 1953 building was deemed historic by the building and there were no sprinklers inside, the Times-Delta reported.
More than 50 state, county and city crews continued to battle the stubborn blaze hours later.
A Porterville city firefighter was killed and a second was missing, Tulare County Fire Cpt. Joanne Bear told the Fresno Bee.
There was no immediate word on how the firefighter died or what caused the fire.