Durham firefighter who died in line of duty to be honored this weekend

WRAL reported that family, friends, and first responders will gather this weekend to honor Andrew Brokes, a 24-year-old Durham firefighter who died in the line of duty on October 8.

Brokes was assigned to Durham Fire Station 13 and died while responding to a fire on Marly Drive near South Miami Boulevard. He was searching the first floor of a building for residents when the roof collapsed, and he died at the scene.

According to WRAL, 14 people were living in the building at the time of the fire, which is zoned for commercial use rather than residential. Residents reported electrical problems in the building, and one tenant paid about $500 monthly in rent.

A visitation for Brokes is scheduled from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, October 16, at The Lamb's Chapel on Alamance Road in Burlington. The celebration of life will take place at 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 17, at the same location, and the public is welcome to attend.

Brokes' family has requested donations be made to the North Carolina Fallen Firefighters Foundation or the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation instead of sending flowers.