Burlington native and Western Alamance High School alum Andrew Jonathan Brokes, 24, was killed in the line of duty early last Thursday morning while searching for victims during a massive structural fire at 410 Marly Drive in Durham, where Brokes had been employed as a firefighter.
Brokes was killed when the structure’s roof gave way. He had graduated from Western High School in 2021 and completed his Emergency Medical Technician certification and firefighter training later the same year while serving as a volunteer firefighter. He had worked with several fire departments, including Elon, Efland, and Swepsonville, before joining the Durham Fire Department in May 2025.
Two other firefighters, whose names have not yet been released, were treated at Duke Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries, according to the Durham Fire Department.
A moment of silence was held in Brokes’ honor during the Williams-Southeast football game at Williams High School on Friday night. (Western High School didn’t play at home on Friday night.)
Brokes’ memory also lives on at Elon’s fire department, where he began as a volunteer in 2020 and as a full-time staff member in 2022. According to recent post on the town of Elon’s Facebook page, Brokes continued “to serve as a part-time firefighter” with the small town’s fire department even after he was hired by Durham in 2025.
“Andrew was more than a member of our department,” the town’s Facebook post, dated October 10, goes on to recall. “he was a brother and part of our family. He possessed a level of passion for the fire service that was truly exceptional. Whether he was teaching the basics of firefighting, showing someone the tools on a truck, or simply sharing a joke to brighten someone’s day, he had a way of making everyone laugh and leaving a warm, lasting impression.
[Story continues below photos of Brokes during his tenure with Elon Fire Department. Photos compliments of Town of Elon.]
Governor Josh Stein also ordered all U.S. and North Carolina flags at state facilities to be flown at half-staff from sunrise until sunset on Friday, October 9, in honor of Brokes, according to a release from the state Department of Administration.
Firefighters and fire apparatus were staged along Interstate 40 and Blue Ridge Road in Raleigh later Thursday morning to honor Brokes, while his body was transported to the N.C. State Medical Examiners Officer. Processions are typically staged by fire, police, and emergency medical departments for members who die in the line of duty, The (Raleigh) News & Observer reported.
A similar procession was scheduled for Monday morning, when Brokes’ body was to be brought to Burlington, according to a post on the Durham Fire Department’s Facebook page.
Brokes is survived by his parents, Samantha and Christopher Brokes; his brother, Alex; and his grandmother, Suzanne Shipley, all of Burlington, and multiple extended family members, friends, and colleagues, according to Lowe Funeral Home in Burlington, which is handling the arrangements. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Art Shipley and Joy and Aladar Brokes.
A celebration of life service is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 17, 2026 at The Lamb’s Chapel (Airport location) in Burlington, NC. Visitation is scheduled from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. Friday, October 16 also at The Lamb’s Chapel.
The family is requesting that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the North Carolina Fallen Firefighters Foundation or to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation in honor of Andrew’s life, service, and ultimate sacrifice. Donations may be made at https://www.ncfff.org/ or https://www.firehero.org/.
“This is a heartbreaking loss for our department, the family, and the entire community,” Durham fire chief Robert J. Zoldos II said in a statement. “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.”
Several media outlets have reported that 14 people had lived in the building on Marly Drive, which had been converted from commercial to residential use.
The State Bureau of Investigation’s arson unit is investigating the cause and origin of the fire, as well as the circumstances surrounding the deadly collapse. Officials said part of the roof collapsed during the fire, causing the second floor to give way and trapping several firefighters on the first floor.
