Firefighters rescue 2 people in two Porterville fires

PORTERVILLE, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Firefighters rescued two people from two separate fires that took place in Porterville early Sunday morning, the Porterville Fire Department announced.

Firefighters say at 4:38 a.m. they responded to a structure fire in the 200 block of north Maston Street.

Engine 72 crews gained access to the back of the residence where they reported a victim still in the structure. Crews were able to get the victim out to the front of the home for medical treatment.

Firefighters say a few minutes later at 4:45 a.m. they received a call for a commercial structure fire in the 200 block of north Second Street at the old Porter Theater.

Cal Fire and Tulare County Fire arrived first on scene and reported heavy fire coming from the building. As crews started to soften up the structure, they found a victim still inside trying to get out.

Firefighters went into rescue operations and found a person trapped inside. After the victim was rescued they were transported to a local hospital. Crews continued to work to extinguish the fire.

The cause of both fires is actively under investigation.