Just after 11 p.m. on December 7, 2025, firefighters in Porterville, California, responded to a call about a residential structure fire. When they arrived at the scene on South Indiana Street, they found a camper fully engulfed in flames. Tragically, a father and his four children became trapped inside the burning vessel. Cody Schuler, 34, and his children, two boys and two girls 18 months to 5 years old, died in the fire. Friends say Schuler and the kids had moved into the camper a month before and looked forward to a fresh start.
According to a news release from the Porterville Fire Department, crews immediately began searching for the camper’s inhabitants. Sadly, they arrived too late to save any lives.
“Upon arrival, firefighters encountered significant fire involvement and immediately initiated coordinated fire attack, search, and rescue operations. During the primary search, crews located multiple victims inside the residence,” the release noted. “A total of five individuals, one adult and four children, were removed from the home.”
Schuler’s friend, Alex Olmos, told ABC 30 that Schuler worked multiple jobs to support his family.
“His kids meant everything to him. There’s not something he would do that his kids weren’t involved in,” Olmos told the outlet.
Olmos said he hopes Schuler knows that he and his children will always be in his heart. “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,” the heartbroken friend said.
On Thanksgiving, Schuler shared a sweet post about his children on Facebook. “Now I have my children feel good tuck them m in every night sing to them every night and wake up to the beautiful cute faces every morning I had so much be thankful for yesterday and Thanksgiving is every little thing moment no wonder no matter what it is it’s good or bad laughs or tears every single moment I have with my babies I’m thankful for God bless all of you guys and I hope you guys had a wonderful Thanksgiving we’re going to have much but we just we did have each other and that’s all that matter to us,” he wrote.
What a devastating loss. We’re sure he’s holding all four of his children tight now and they feel all of their daddy’s love.
