Teens Charged with Murder in Blaze that Killed CA Firefighters
By Joshua Tehee
Source The Fresno Bee
Charges have been officially filed against the two boys suspected of starting a deadly library fire that killed two firefighters and has shaken the community of Porterville.
Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward on Friday announced that his department has filed two counts of murder, with special circumstances of multiple murders, and arson-related charges against the 13-year-olds. Porterville police believe the boys intentionally started the fire inside the city library.
Both were seen running from the area after the fire began.
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Ward had said previously in a video statement that California law prevents the boys from being tried as adults, “even for cases such as murder.” If the boys are ultimately sentenced, they cannot be held past the age of 25 in California, he said.
The minors have denied the charges, Ward said Friday, and remain in custody. They are scheduled to return to juvenile court March 11.
Porterville Fire Department Capt. Ramon “Ray” Figueroa and firefighter Patrick Jones died while making sure nobody was inside the 67-year-old library while it burned. The fire started around 4:15 p.m. Tuesday and burned through the night.
A memorial service was held starting at 4:14 p.m. Friday at Centennial Park in Porterville for the firefighters and community.
The library was in critical need of fire upgrades and city officials had begun plans to replace it with a new building.
Porterville Fire Chief Dave Lapere on Thursday described the two firefighters as “consummate professionals.”
The library was open to the public when the fire started.
The other occupants got out without injuries.
The department is standing down until Monday and outside agencies are staffing the Porterville stations through the weekend.
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