Running Into A Burning Building To Save Others
Tale of Two Courageous Fire Fighters Killed In Action
The fire alarm went off at 4:14 pm. The three firefighters of Engine 71 hustled out to their truck, threw on their bunker gear, climbed aboard the massive yellow fire engine, turned on the siren, and off they sped toward the 67-year-old library where a fire was reported.
As they drew closer to the library, they could see the smoke billowing in the air; their destination visible. They were the first to arrive on the scene, large flames and black smoke pouring out of the roof of the 18,000-square-foot building.
Two of the firefighters, Ramon Figueroa and Patrick Jones, jumped out of the truck and ran into the blazing building determined to evacuate anyone left inside. A short time later, as other fire trucks arrived on the scene, “mayday!” was radioed from inside the burning library. Figueroa and Jones were in very serious trouble, “mayday” a distress call signaling a life-threatening emergency.
Fire fighters jumped down from their trucks and ran into the building on a search and rescue mission for their two brethren whose lives were in jeopardy. The 35-year-old Captain Figueroa was found immediately but struggling to breathe, overcome by smoke inhalation. Rescuers continued searching for the 25 year-old Jones, but were unable to locate him as the roof of the library began to collapse.
The members of the rescue team were lucky to get out alive. But Jones was still inside as fire fighters poured water onto the building working to control the blaze. Once the massive fire had been quelled, the rescue team donned oxygen masks and returned to the smoldering, charred and severely damaged old building to continue their search for their brave young comrade.
The digging began, rubble lifted and moved. Nothing found on Tuesday evening. The digging continued into Wednesday morning. More help arrived from Los Angeles including trained search dogs.
Still, no sign of Jones. But then later Wednesday, a sad and disappointed fireman found the lifeless body of Patrick Jones. The brave 25 year-old who worked so hard to be a firefighter was gone!
On Tuesday afternoon, his team leader, Captain Figueroa, had been rushed to the hospital where a medical team was unable to save him. Two courageous firefighters dead because two 13-year-old boys decided to start a fire inside the library. The two misguided teens were seen running from the library shortly after it erupted in flames and were later caught and charged with arson and manslaughter.
The town of Porterville was universally saddened by the loss of two courageous young men and angered by the actions of the two unidentified boys.
Jones’ grandparents, parents, brother, sister and fiancé traveled in the funeral procession with hundreds of mourners lining the street to pay their respects to the two brave men who put their own safety at risk in order to save others. It’s the peril every fire fighter takes every time they enter those flaming danger zones. They know it, but have the courage to do it anyway.
Many of those watching the procession pass by knew young Patrick Jones as an athlete, a baseball player, who grew up in Visalia, California, attending Grace Christian Elementary and then La Joya Middle School. Some of his classmates from El Diamante High School mourned, remembering his glory days as an great defensive outfielder and clutch hitter. They knew how much he loved sports, a die-hard Chargers and Padres fan. But they also knew he wanted to become a fire fighter since he was young, his passion sparked upon seeing the camaraderie among the firefighters at the Porterville Fire Department. They were proud of him, watching him complete the Fire Academy at Porterville Community College. And they smiled when he landed his dream job, his vocation, with that same department. His fellow fire fighters knew his mindset was to be the best firefighter possible, never letting down his brothers. He never did.
Outside the church, a mix of sadness and anger must have filled the hearts and minds of Captain Figueroa’s family and friends, so young and a father of two, his life and future taken away from him by the irresponsible and deadly act of two teens. So unfair!
The captain was beloved by his crew, who were in full uniform, saluting their fallen brother, paying their last respects. Ramon was well known for the love of his job and mentoring his fire fighters. It was common to hear him state his priorities, "My men, the mission, then me."
He too was born to be a fire fighter, graduating from Delano High School class of 2003 and Porterville College Fire Academy in 2006. He volunteered with Lindsay Fire Department before being hired in 2007 by the Porterville City Fire Department. After many years of training, he was promoted to captain in 2018 and assigned to station 71. He spent his last three years as part of the fire investigation unit.
Losing two good and brave men so young was overwhelming for many who knew them, knew of the potential life in front of them. Emotions were poured onto social media, tears and anger tweeted to the world.
Ramon Figueroa and Patrick Jones, two dedicated fire fighters who rushed into a burning building with the sole objective of saving others! Heroes!