President Trump honors firefighters killed, missing in deadly Porterville library blaze

President Donald Trump on Wednesday honored the two firefighters affected in the deadly blaze at the Porterville city library.

RELATED: 2 teens arrested for starting deadly fire that killed Porterville firefighter

The fire on Tuesday claimed the life of 35-year-old Porterville Fire Captain Raymond Figueroa. Another Porterville firefighter, 25-year-old Patrick Jones, is still unaccounted for.

Trump was in the Valley, speaking to farmers in Bakersfield about efforts to improve the supply and delivery of water in California and other western states.

RELATED: President Trump speaks with farmers in Bakersfield about CA water

But he began by paying his respects to the two firefighters.

"I heard they were two great people, people with incredible families and I just want to pay my respects to their families and friends," he said. "It's a tough job, we just met some of the firemen backstage, it's a tough and dangerous job. And the country respects that profession very much... and you can add the words 'law enforcement' to that group."

Earlier in the day, California Governor Gavin Newsom's office tweeted out its condolences to the City of Porterville and to those affected.

On Tuesday night, even as dozens of fire crews were battling the flames hours after the blaze began, the death of Captain Figueroa and the fact that Jones was still 'unaccounted for' had already begun sending out ripples of shock and grief among the Valley's law enforcement personnel.

Agencies in Tulare County and beyond posted messages of grief and support for the Porterville Fire Department and the families of both firefighters.

Among the first to express their condolences was the Fresno County Fire Department, whose personnel rushed in to help Porterville Fire when they called for help.

CAL FIRE and Tulare County firefighters were also among the more than 50 officers trying to control the deadly flames.

The Tulare County Sheriff's Office wrote on Facebook, "We are absolutely heartbroken over this tragedy and ask that you keep the families of the two firefighters, as well as their friends and colleagues, close to your hearts."

On Wednesday, the Porterville City Fire Department thanked the community for their outpouring of support and said it was working on a way to accept donations.

"We have not authorized or have any official gofund me accounts, for the Porterville City Fire Department Firefighters involved in the Library fire," it wrote.