Andrew Johnathan Brokes, a 24-year-old firefighter who served the Durham community in North Carolina, died on October 8, 2026, while responding to a structure fire. His death came after part of the burning building collapsed as he searched for people who might still have been inside.
Brokes joined the Durham Fire Department in May 2025 and was assigned to Station 13’s Tower Company 5. In the short time he served the department, he became known for his dedication to the fire service and his willingness to help others.
His passing has left his family, colleagues and fellow first responders mourning the loss of a young man whose commitment to public service shaped both his professional life and his personal values.
Beyond his work as a firefighter, Brokes was remembered for his generosity, his love of outdoor adventures and his ability to make people feel welcome. His family described him as someone who approached life with compassion and a strong desire to be useful to others.
Who Was Andrew Johnathan Brokes?
Andrew Johnathan Brokes was a firefighter from Burlington, North Carolina, who devoted his early adult life to serving his community.
Born on January 13, 2002, Brokes grew up in Burlington and attended Western Alamance High School, graduating in 2021. During that same year, he completed his Emergency Medical Technician certification and firefighter training while working as a volunteer firefighter.
His interest in emergency services reflected a family tradition of firefighting. He began pursuing the profession at a young age and continued to seek opportunities to develop his skills and serve more communities.
Before joining the Durham Fire Department, Brokes worked with several fire departments, including Elon, Efland and Swepsonville. He became a member of the Durham department in May 2025.
For Brokes, firefighting was more than a job. His family described it as a calling, explaining that he regularly took additional shifts because he wanted to spend more time doing work he cared deeply about.
His willingness to step forward when others needed help became a defining part of the legacy he left behind.
What Happened to Andrew Brokes?
Andrew Brokes died during an early-morning response to a structural fire at a building on Marly Drive in Durham on October 8, 2026.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, Durham firefighters were dispatched to the multi-story structure fire at approximately 3:15 a.m. Brokes was inside the building searching for possible victims when part of the roof collapsed at approximately 3:31 a.m.
The collapse caused the second floor to give way as well, leaving Brokes with fatal injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Two other firefighters were injured during the incident and were transported to hospital for treatment. Officials said their injuries were not life-threatening, and they were expected to recover.
The fire and the circumstances surrounding the building collapse prompted further investigation. Authorities also examined the origin and cause of the fire.
Brokes’ death highlighted the dangers firefighters face when entering unstable buildings to search for people who may need rescue.
Andrew Brokes’ Cause of Death
Andrew Brokes died from fatal injuries sustained when part of a building collapsed during firefighting operations.
Official reports state that he was searching for possible victims inside the burning structure when the roof gave way, triggering the collapse of the second floor.
The U.S. Fire Administration recorded his death as occurring in the line of duty on October 8, 2026. The agency’s initial fatality notice described the circumstances of the collapse but did not specify a more detailed medical cause of the fatal injuries.
Investigators were also examining the cause and origin of the fire itself. Those questions are separate from the immediate circumstances of Brokes’ death.
At the time of the reports reviewed for this article, the full findings of the fire investigation had not been publicly established.
Key Facts About Andrew Johnathan Brokes
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Andrew Johnathan Brokes |
| Age | 24 |
| Date of birth | January 13, 2002 |
| Date of death | October 8, 2026 |
| Hometown | Burlington, North Carolina |
| Occupation | Firefighter |
| Department | Durham Fire Department |
| Assignment | Station 13, Tower Company 5 |
| Joined Durham Fire Department | May 2025 |
| Education | Western Alamance High School, class of 2021 |
| Firefighting training | Completed in 2021 |
| Incident location | Marly Drive, Durham, North Carolina |
| Circumstances of death | Fatal injuries in a building collapse while searching for possible victims |
| Other firefighters injured | Two, with injuries reported as non-life-threatening |
| Memorial service | October 17, 2026, at The Lamb’s Chapel – Airport Campus |
| Funeral home | Lowe Funeral Home & Crematory |
A Lifelong Commitment to Firefighting
Brokes began pursuing firefighting as a teenager and continued building his experience through training and volunteer service.
After completing his education at Western Alamance High School, he earned his EMT certification and firefighter training credentials. He then served with several departments before joining Durham.
His family said he often picked up extra shifts at other departments because he enjoyed the work and wanted to spend as much time as possible helping people.
That commitment reflected the sense of responsibility he brought to the profession. Firefighters regularly face dangerous and unpredictable situations, and Brokes’ final response demonstrated the risks associated with searching burning buildings for possible survivors.
His colleagues and local officials remembered him as a dedicated member of the department who took his responsibilities seriously.
Although his career was brief, the impact of his service was felt across the fire departments where he had worked and among the people who knew him.
Andrew Brokes’ Life Beyond the Fire Service
Away from his duties, Brokes enjoyed outdoor activities, travel and adventure.
According to his family’s obituary, he loved hiking, skiing, snowboarding and jet skiing. He enjoyed discovering new places and had visited several national parks, with a dream of eventually seeing them all.
He was also a proud Eagle Scout with Troop 4019 in Burlington. The values associated with scouting, including helpfulness, loyalty, kindness and service, were reflected in the way his family described his character.
His obituary recalled someone who was quick to offer assistance when others needed help. He was remembered for his warmth, generosity and ability to make people feel valued.
These qualities helped define him beyond his professional identity. While his courage as a firefighter became central to the public tributes following his death, his family also emphasized the kindness and enthusiasm that shaped his everyday life.
His death at 24 meant that many of the adventures and ambitions he hoped to pursue would remain unfulfilled.
Andrew Brokes’ Family and Loved Ones
Andrew Brokes is survived by his parents, Samantha and Christopher Brokes; his brother, Alex; and his grandmother, Suzanne Shipley, all of Burlington, according to the published family obituary.
His surviving extended family includes his aunt and uncle Michael Brokes and Connie Delio of Scotch Plains, New Jersey; Kevin and Tracy Brokes of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina; and Susan and John Kelly of Stanhope, New Jersey. His cousins include Katie, Jacob and Ethan Brokes.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents Art Shipley and Joy and Aladar Brokes.
His family described his life as one marked by purpose, friendship, service and a generous spirit. The loss of a young family member who had dedicated himself to protecting others has brought profound grief to those closest to him.
The family asked that memorial donations be made to firefighter-support organizations in place of flowers, allowing people to honour his memory by supporting the profession to which he had devoted his life.
Tributes From Durham and the North Carolina Fire Service
News of Brokes’ death prompted an outpouring of tributes from Durham officials, firefighters and departments across the region.
Durham city officials expressed their sorrow and thanked Brokes for his service, while acknowledging the emotional impact of the loss on his family and fellow firefighters.
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein ordered U.S. and state flags at state facilities to be lowered to half-staff on October 9 in his honour.
The Elon and Swepsonville fire departments, where Brokes had previously served, also paid tribute to him.
These responses reflected the close connections that often develop among firefighters who work across different departments and communities. His death affected not only the Durham Fire Department but also the wider emergency-services community that had known him during his earlier years of service.
Officials also expressed concern for the two firefighters injured in the collapse and said they were expected to make full recoveries.
Andrew Brokes’ Funeral and Celebration of Life
According to the family obituary published through Lowe Funeral Home & Crematory, visitation was scheduled for Friday, October 16, 2026, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at The Lamb’s Chapel – Airport Campus in Burlington.
A celebration of life was scheduled for Saturday, October 17, at 4 p.m. at the same location.
The services provided family members, friends, colleagues and community members with an opportunity to remember Brokes and honour his service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations to either the North Carolina Fallen Firefighters Foundation or the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
Both organizations support fallen firefighters and their families. The request reflected the family’s desire to honour Brokes by helping others connected to the profession he loved.
Andrew Johnathan Brokes Obituary: Remembering a Young Life of Service
Andrew Johnathan Brokes died at 24 after a building collapse during a firefighting operation in Durham, North Carolina, on October 8, 2026.
He had joined the Durham Fire Department in May 2025 after completing firefighter and EMT training and serving with other departments in the region. During his career, he demonstrated a strong commitment to helping others and often accepted additional shifts because of his passion for the work.
Outside the fire service, he was remembered as an Eagle Scout who enjoyed travel, outdoor adventures and spending time with the people he loved.
His family, friends and colleagues have mourned the loss of a young man whose life was shaped by courage, kindness and public service. Tributes from local and state officials have also recognized the sacrifice he made while searching a burning building for people who might need help.
Although his life ended far too soon, the values he demonstrated continue to shape how he is remembered.
His legacy lives on through the people he helped, the colleagues who served alongside him and the community he worked to protect.
Disclaimer: This obituary is based on the published family obituary, official statements from the City of Durham and North Carolina state authorities, and the U.S. Fire Administration’s firefighter fatality notice. The fire investigation and the circumstances surrounding the building collapse were still under review in the reports consulted. Details may be updated if authorities release further findings.