Friends remember father and four children lost in Porterville fire

PORTERVILLE, Calif. (KFSN) -- Friends lit candles and laid out toys to remember the lives lost in a camper that caught fire on Sunday night in Porterville.

Cody Schuler, who friends have identified, was inside the camper with his four young kids.

His friend of over a decade, Alex Olmos, didn't want to appear on camera but told Action News that Schuler was a bit of a handyman, working several different jobs, but his favorite job was being a dad.

"His kids were his entire world," said Olmos.

Firefighters arrived a little after 11 pm Sunday. Crews tried their best to save the family of five, but it was too late.

"We have determined that the fire most likely started in the trailer, but like I said, the investigation is still ongoing," said Porterville Fire Department Chief Bryan Cogburn.

Authorities said the children, two boys and two girls, range in age from 18 months to five years old.

Friends tell Action News that Schuler moved into the camper about a month ago with his four children.

"His kids meant everything to him. There's not something he would do that his kids weren't involved in," said Olmos.

Porterville Unified has shared that one of the kids was a student in the district.

They have deployed district social workers and counselling staff to the school to support students, faculty and staff during this difficult time.

As Schuler's friends try to deal with this unimaginable loss, they hope he knows how much he and his kids will be missed.

"You're not forgotten. We're still here, we still love you. You know, you'll always be remembered for the person that you were," said Olmos.

Friends say the mother of the four children asked that donations be made to a funeral home. We have that information here.

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