Rafael Rivera Esbrí

This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Rivera and the second or maternal family name is Esbrí.

Rafael Rivera Esbrí
Mayor Rafael Rivera Esbrí

Mayor of Ponce, Puerto Rico
In office 1915–1917
Preceded by	Simón Moret Gallart
Succeeded by	Luis Yordán Dávila
Personal details
Born	1870
Died	1965 Ponce, Puerto Rico
Nationality	Puerto Rican
Profession	politician

Rafael Rivera Esbrí (1870–1965) was Mayor of Ponce, Puerto Rico from 1915 to 1917.

El Polvorin

Rivera Esbri is best remembered for an incident that has little to do with his work as mayor. He is remembered as the only civilian who in the company of seven of Ponce's firefighters confronted and brought under control the fire of 25 January 1899 that took place at the American munitions depot in the city of Ponce, where the Ponce High School is currently located. Rivera Esbri and the others did this in defiance of an order from the American invaders not to attempt to fight the fire.^[1] Their bravery is said to have saved the city from total destruction.^[2]

Obelisk

In 1906,^[3] the Legislature of Puerto Rico issued a proclamation to officially declare Rafael Rivera Esbri and the seven firefighters heroes.^[4] In time, the city of Ponce also built an obelisk to their memory which is located at Plaza Las Delicias (See Monumento a los heroes de El Polvorin), and is dedicated to Rivera Esbri and the seven firefighters who risked their lives in the 25 January 1899, fire. Rivera Esbri's name, along with those of the firefighters are engraved on the obelisk.^[5]

Mayoral work

As mayor, Rivera Esbri founded, in 1916, the cemetery at Barrio Coto Laurel in Ponce.^[6]

Death and burial

Upon his death, Rafael Rivera Esbri was buried at the mausoleum reserved for Ponce firefighters in the Monumento a los heroes de El Polvorín at Cementerio Civil de Ponce. He is the only civilian non-firefighter in the mausoleum.