Stein orders flags at half-staff for Durham firefighter killed in roof collapse during fire

A firefighter died and two others were injured in a large fire at a building in Durham.

Andrew Brokes, a Durham firefighter from Fire Station 13, died in the fire. A message from the Durham Fire Department said Brokes served the city with “honor, courage and integrity.”

Late Thursday, Gov. Josh Stein ordered all flags at state facilities to be flown at half-staff from on Friday.

“We mourn the loss of Andrew Brokes, a young Durham firefighter who died keeping people safe,” Stein said in a statement provided to WRAL News. “Let us keep his colleagues and loved ones in our thoughts and prayers. May his memory be a blessing.”

The fire was reported in the 400 block of Marly Drive near South Miami Boulevard around 3:15 a.m. The WRAL Breaking News Tracker arrived to find flames ripping through the roof of the building and smoke rising from the structure, which was being used as a residence. 

Several firefighters were on the roof at the time and others were inside on the first floor. Those on the first floor became trapped, including the firefighter who died.

Durham Fire Chief Robert Zoldos said firefighters called for additional help after several became trapped.

Everyone inside the building escaped before firefighters arrived, and no occupants were injured.

Brokes was 24 years old and joined the department in May 2025.

“This is a heartbreaking loss for our department, the family, and the entire community,” said Zoldos. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones and his colleagues, and we ask that you respect the family’s privacy during this unimaginably difficult time. The department is standing with and supporting his family in every possible way.”

The two injured firefighters were taken to the hospital for treatment. Both have since been released.

A man, who did not want to be identified, told WRAL Investigates that the building was rented out to multiple tenants. That includes some small apartments, as well as an addiction recovery group that would meet three times a week. 

The addiction recovery group is now trying to find a new place to hold meetings and continue offering support to the community.

The State Bureau of Investigation’s arson unit has been requested to investigate the cause of the fire.

Zoldos and other crew members thanked the community for its support.

“We just ask that right now, you keep the family and the firefighting community and all the friends and relatives of the deceased and the injured firefighters in your thoughts and prayers,” Deputy Chief Chris Iannuzzi said.

Sky 5 flew over the damaged building at 8 a.m. The roof had mostly collapsed, and the damage was extensive.

Three people at the scene said the building was a community home. One of the three reportedly lived there, and her friends were providing her with a place to stay in the meantime.

Crews from the Durham County Sheriff’s Office, EMS and other agencies responded to the scene. SBI agents arrived around 5:45 a.m., and the Durham Mobile Command Unit arrived about an hour later.

The Raleigh Professional Fire Fighters Association posted a message of support on Facebook.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with our brothers and sisters of the Durham Fire Department today. Local 548 stands with you during this difficult time.”

The Raleigh Fire Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, SBI and several Durham County agencies assisted with the response.

“We always get tremendous support from all the other agencies, additional fire departments, county and other city agencies as well as all the law enforcement agencies in the area,” Iannuzzi said. “They’ve been very supportive.”

Several fire trucks were seen on overpasses along Interstate 40 on Thursday morning, their emergency lights flashing in tribute to the fallen firefighter. A procession for the victim followed on the interstate.

A moment of silence was held for Brokes at a Durham City Council work session on Thursday afternoon.

Those who knew Brokes, like Heidi McNeilly, a Durham resident who organized a community event Brokes volunteered at just a couple of days before his death, said he told her that he loved his job.

Even though she had just met Brokes, she felt compelled to share her thoughts with WRAL because of the impression of kindness and bravery he left on her. 

“[I] just, was devastated,” McNeilly said. “I mean it’s so sad to lose anybody but someone so young, so new to the job, and someone so kind who we had just seen.”

She said Brokes was called to a scene midway through the event, but returned so kids like hers could have a chance to see the firetruck. She thought that spoke to the type of person he was.

“To be so young, to have so much life ahead of you and still put your life on the line to protect people’s property, people’s pets, and people themselves every single day — I mean, you clearly have to be a special kind of person to do that,” McNeilly said.

She said even those like herself who met Brokes so briefly will remember him and how he died keeping them safe.