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 …

Continue reading ‘Durham Fire Department – Line of Duty Deaths’ »

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 …

Continue reading ‘Durham Firefighter Andrew Brokes Killed in Line of Duty’ »

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. …

Continue reading ‘Morehead City Line of Duty Death – May 1, 1951’ »

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 …

Continue reading ‘Wrightsboro Line of Duty Death – July 9, 1960’ »

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 …

Continue reading ‘Multi-Fatality Emergency Vehicle Accidents in North Carolina’ »

Holly Shelter Forest Fire – May 1986

Remembering the major wildland fire in May 1986, that burned some 73,000 acres in the Holly Shelter area of Pender county, and during a period of severe drought. One of North Carolina’s largest wildfires of the decade, it threatened numerous homes and closed portions of U.S. 17 and N.C. 210. It required extensive use of …

Continue reading ‘Holly Shelter Forest Fire – May 1986’ »

North Carolina Fallen Firefighters Ceremony – May 6, 2026

On Saturday, May 9, 2026, the following names will be added to the North Carolina Fallen Firefighters Memorial at the annual ceremony in downtown Raleigh.  George T. Parham Gastonia Oct 10, 1953 Suffered a heart attack while assisting with station duties on the second floor of Station 1. He was given artificial respiration by other …

Continue reading ‘North Carolina Fallen Firefighters Ceremony – May 6, 2026’ »

Fayetteville Firefighter David Sharp Died in the Line of Duty – March 17, 2000

Looking back at the line of duty death of Fayetteville Fire Department Engineer David C. Sharp II on Friday, March 17, 2000. Sharp died after the 1993 Pierce Arrow aerial tower he was driving was struck by a train at the Cumberland Street grade crossing between Orange and Ramsey streets, while returning from an automatic …

Continue reading ‘Fayetteville Firefighter David Sharp Died in the Line of Duty – March 17, 2000’ »

Wrightsville Beach Line of Duty Death – December 6, 1981

This is a version of a Facebook posting from December 6, 2021. On December 6, 1981, Wrightsville Beach volunteer Lt. Robert M. Wynn, 28, died in the line of duty at the Doak Apartments fire. Also severely injured was volunteer firefighter Jon Dennison, 21, who suffered second and third degree burns. At 1:13 a.m. on …

Continue reading ‘Wrightsville Beach Line of Duty Death – December 6, 1981’ »

Wilmington Natural Gas Explosion and Fire – August 5, 1987

Looking back at the natural gas explosion and flash fire in downtown Wilmington August 5, 1987.  Timeline On August 5, 1987, Welco Construction and Utilities Company, based in Florence, SC, was excavating in the 4600 block of Market Street. They were installing sanitary sewer lines in preparation for a project to widen Market Street. The …

Continue reading ‘Wilmington Natural Gas Explosion and Fire – August 5, 1987’ »