NewsCalifornia News

Lawsuit says faulty equipment killed Porterville firefighters

Fire Captain Raymond Figueroa, Firefighter Patrick Jones
Add KERO as a Google Preferred Source

PORTERVILLE, Calif. (AP) — The families of two California firefighters killed in a 2020 blaze are suing several makers of life-saving equipment, alleging the devices were defective and caused their loved ones’ deaths.

The Porterville firefighters died when flames ripped through the city’s library.

An attorney for the families tells the Bee the men entered the burning building that day with the expectation that the safety equipment they strapped on would protect them.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified financial damages.

It alleges negligence, wrongful death and strict products liability design defect.

Two 13-year-old boys were blamed for causing the fire and charged with murder and arson.

Bakersfield, CA

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

SaturdaySat

11/07/2026

Partly Cloudy

-° / 51°

2%

SundaySun

11/08/2026

Mostly Clear

77° / 50°

3%

MondayMon

11/09/2026

Partly Cloudy

75° / 51°

2%

TuesdayTue

11/10/2026

Clear

74° / 51°

1%

WednesdayWed

11/11/2026

Clear

80° / 54°

0%

ThursdayThu

11/12/2026

Mostly Clear

82° / 53°

0%

FridayFri

11/13/2026

Partly Cloudy

72° / 54°

13%

SaturdaySat

11/14/2026

Partly Cloudy

73° / 55°

14%