10/09/2026
To be a firefighter, it’s a calling. It was something you were meant to do. To put your life on the line for a complete stranger is not something you can simply pay someone to do. Firemen don’t crawl down hallways in smoke so thick you can’t see your own hand in front of you. With high heat and fire rolling across the ceiling above you. It comes from a belief in a higher calling, of selflessness, and love for fellow man, when they are at their most vulnerable and precarious. It’s an indisputable fact, firemen get hurt in the work and firemen die in this work.
This young man, with his whole life ahead of him, at just 24 years old exemplifies what it means to be a firefighter. When the bell rang, he crawled down the hallway.
Our thoughts and our prayers go out to his family, his friends, and his colleagues. May his sacrifice never be forgotten.
We are heartbroken to share that Firefighter Andrew Brokes died in the line of duty this morning while searching for victims inside the building at 410 Marly Drive.
Firefighter Brokes, who joined the Durham Fire Department on May 5, 2025, served the Durham community with dedication, courage, and a deep commitment to the residents of the Bull City.
“This is a heartbreaking loss for our department, the family, and the entire community,” said Durham Fire Chief Robert J. Zoldos II. “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.”
Two other firefighters were injured during the incident and were taken to Duke Medical Center. Both have received care and are expected to make full recoveries.
This loss is felt across our entire department. Firefighters step into unpredictable situations every day in service to others, and Firefighter Brokes embodied that calling with honor.
We know our community is grieving alongside us. If you wish to share your condolences or messages of support, they will be received with gratitude by our department and by those who knew and loved Firefighter Brokes.
In the coming days, we will share more information about how we will honor his service and support the firefighters involved in this incident.
Thank you, Durham, for surrounding our DFD family with care during this profoundly difficult time.
