California library fire: 2 firefighters killed battling blaze in Porterville, sheriff says

Two firefighters have died while fighting a blaze at a central California library, a local sheriff said.

Porterville Library is up in flames. pic.twitter.com/hNst7dKu7m
— Nai 🇳🇬 (@DoeSuu11) February 19, 2020

According to the Fresno Bee, the fire began about 4:15 p.m. Tuesday at the Porterville Public Library. Crews from Porterville, Tulare County, Fresno County and other areas have been battling the blaze.

#BREAKING: Tulare County Fire Officials on scene of the #Porterville Library fire confirmed one Porterville city firefighter died in the fire, and another is unaccounted for. A heartbreaking night for the city of Porterville. @CBS47 @KSEE24 pic.twitter.com/O1JRMXNxZj
— Kirsten Mitchell (@Kirsten_TV) February 19, 2020

In a Facebook post Tuesday night, Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux said the Porterville City Fire Department "lost two brave men" in the fire.

"The city of Porterville mourns their loss, and we as a community grieve with them and their families," he wrote. "God bless them all."

Prayers for the Porterville City Fire Department. They have lost two brave men in a library fire this evening. The city...
Posted by Mike Boudreaux on Tuesday, February 18, 2020

No further information was immediately available.