NewsCalifornia News

Actions

Lawsuit says faulty equipment killed Porterville firefighters

Fire Captain Raymond Figueroa, Firefighter Patrick Jones
Posted
and last updated

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.

,

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Sunday

12/28/2025

Mostly Cloudy

51° / 40°

6%

Monday

12/29/2025

AM Fog/PM Sun

52° / 39°

15%

Tuesday

12/30/2025

Mostly Cloudy

55° / 45°

9%

Wednesday

12/31/2025

AM Showers

52° / 49°

39%

Thursday

01/01/2026

AM Light Rain

60° / 51°

61%

Friday

01/02/2026

PM Showers

61° / 52°

35%

Saturday

01/03/2026

AM Showers

57° / 50°

43%

Sunday

01/04/2026

Partly Cloudy

59° / 49°

19%