Durham Fire Department – Line of Duty Deaths

Research notes on Durham Fire Department line of duty deaths.  Andrew Johnathan Brokes Age: 24 | Rank: Firefighter Date of death: October 8, 2026 Brokes died at the scene of a commercial structure fire on Marly Drive, after a roof collapsed while he and other firefighters were conducting searches on the first floor. The building …

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Durham Firefighter Andrew Brokes Killed in Line of Duty

On Thursday, October 8, 2026, Durham firefighter Andrew J. Brokes was killed after a roof collapse while he was inside the structure. He was 24 years old and had been a member of the department since May 5, 2025. He was assigned to Tower 5 at Station 13. Said an official statement from the Durham …

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Morehead City Line of Duty Death – May 1, 1951

Research notes on the May 1951 apparatus accident in Morehead City, NC, that killed one firefighter and injured two others, when a recently delivered pumper overturned while returning from pump testing. Carteret County News-Times –  Friday, May 4, 1951 Photo caption: At the upper left, the Morehead City fire truck rests on its left side. …

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Wrightsboro Line of Duty Death – July 9, 1960

Found this this week from New Hanover County. Wrightsboro Fire Chief Ed Wright died in the line of duty on July 9, 1960. He suffered a cardiac event while directing operations at a fire in the Rock Hill community. Chief Wright, 58, was found slumped by a fire truck. He was pronounced dead on arrival …

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New Hanover County Airport Fire Department History

Presenting a new history of New Hanover County International Airport’s fire department.  See also this posting about the airport’s fire apparatus.  Last updated September 26, 2026.  1920s to 1949 1927 – First landing at airport.  1928, May 30 – Airfield named Bluethenthal Field in memory of Arthur Bluethenthal, first person from Wilmington and the second from …

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Maffitt Village Fire Department

This is a blog version of a Facebook posting from December 2019.  Wilmington, 1945. What are we seeing here? Mark Stiller posted this picture to the group N.C. Old Photos and Things of Interest. [1] Almost looks like a maintenance truck, notably with the building labeled “Engineering Dept. Housing Authority.” But it’s a fire engine. …

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Multi-Fatality Emergency Vehicle Accidents in North Carolina

On September 19, 2026, an apparatus accident in Granville County killed three civilians, when an SUV rear-ended a pumper at an accident scene on Interstate 85 near Oxford, NC. What’s the historical perspective on multi-fatality emergency vehicle accidents in North Carolina? Here’s take one of results: Summary Date Department / Vehicle County Fatalities Responders Civilians …

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Amtrak Hostage Situation in Raleigh – October 1982

Looking back at the three-day hostage situation that unfolded at Seaboard Station in downtown Raleigh starting on Friday, October 8, 1982. These pics originated from News and Observer and Raleigh Times photographers (and likely others) and were transmitted far and wide, via AP and UPI. Question for older timers, how far/close was the yellow tape …

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Selma Amtrak Train Derailment – May 16, 1994

This is a blog version of a Facebook posting from September 13, 2026. Looking back at the May 1994 derailment in Selma that killed a crew member and injured 121 people. Found a couple photos from newspaper coverage. Looking for others. On May 16, 1994, at 4:36 a.m., Amtrak Train 87 and CSX freight train …

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