A firefighter has died and two others were injured in a major fire that broke out at a Durham apartment building, the Durham Fire Department has confirmed.
The two injured firefighters are expected to be OK.
The fire was reported in the 400 block of Marly Drive, near South Miami Boulevard. The WRAL Breaking News Tracker arrived to find flames tearing through the roof of the building and smoke rising from the structure.
“We just ask that you keep in your thoughts and prayers the firefighter family and community and all the friends and relatives of the fallen and injured firefighters,” said Deputy Chief Chris Iannuzzi.
Sky 5 flew over the damaged building at 8 a.m. The roof had largely collapsed and the damage was extensive.
Three people at the scene said it was a community building. One of the three reportedly lived in the house and her friends offered her accommodation in the meantime.
Multiple crews from the Durham County Sheriff’s Office, EMS and others were on scene. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation also arrived on scene around 5:45 a.m., and the Durham Mobile Command Unit arrived approximately an hour later.
The Raleigh Professional Firefighters Association posted on Facebook: “Our thoughts and prayers are with our brothers and sisters in the Durham Fire Department today. Local 548 is with you during this difficult time.
Dozens of rescuers were on site to support firefighters.
“We still receive tremendous support from all the other agencies, additional fire departments, county and city agencies, as well as all law enforcement in the area,” Iannuzzi said. “They were very supportive.”
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