5 years since deaths of Porterville firefighters in library fire

PORTERVILLE, Calif. (KFSN) -- Tuesday marks five years since a South Valley community was hit with devastation.

On February 18, 2020, Porterville firefighter Patrick Jones and Captain Ray Figueroa died while battling a massive fire at the city library.

The two entered the burning building to make sure everyone was out safely and after giving a mayday call, they were never heard from again.

This year, firefighters, family, and city officials gathered at Station 71 for a pancake breakfast in honor of the two heroes.

"Honoring his life has felt like a privilege because he is the purest love I have ever known," said Katie Jones, Patrick's sister. "These last five years have honestly felt so surreal."

Figueroa was 35, and Patrick was less than a month shy of his 26th birthday.

"He was funny, he was the light of my life. Just very much an old soul," remembered Katie.

Porterville Fire Captain Rudy Aguilar says it is important to remember Jones and Figueroa's sacrifice.

"Today is definitely important and meaningful, not only for the citizens of Porterville but for the department as well," said Captain Aguilar.

"Make sure we continue to honor Ray and Patrick's sacrifice. It hits really hard for the department but also personally."

The city also plans to honor Raymond and Patrick with their new library, which is currently in the design stage.

The city's mayor, Greg Meister, envisions two bronze statues.

"One with Captain Figueroa in his turnouts with his captain's helmet, and then firefighter Jones was known for wearing his hat backward," Meister explained.

For the family, they say the community's support has not gone unnoticed and they plan to use this experience to help others.

"My purpose in my pain is to be my brother's voice and just to make others feel not alone," said Katie. "He always made sure others aren't alone, so I feel my purpose now is to be his voice and to help others get through any type of grief that they're going through."

The mayor mentions once funding and design for the library are complete, the city will host a groundbreaking ceremony.

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