A firefighter died and two others were injured in a large fire that broke out in a Durham building, the Durham Fire Department confirmed.
The two firefighters who were hurt are expected to be okay.
The fire was reported in the 400 block of Marly Drive near South Miami Boulevard. The WRAL Breaking News Tracker arrived to find flames ripping through the roof of the building and smoke rising from the structure.
© WRAL
“We just ask that right now, you keep the family and the firefighting community and all the friends and relatives of the deceased and the injured firefighters in your thoughts and prayers,” said Deputy Chief Chris Iannuzzi.
Sky 5 flew over the damaged building at 8 a.m. The roof was mostly collapsed, and the damage was extensive.
Three people at the scene said the building was a community home. One of the three reportedly lived at the home, and her friends were giving her a place to stay in the meantime.
Numerous crews from the Durham County Sheriff’s Office, EMS and others were on the scene. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation also arrived at the scene around 5:45 a.m., and the Durham Mobile Command Unit arrived about an hour later.
The Raleigh Professional Fire Fighters Association posted on Facebook: “Our thoughts and prayers are with our brothers and sisters of the Durham Fire Department today. Local 548 stands with you during this difficult time.”
Dozens of first responders were at the scene to support the fire department.
“We always get tremendous support from all the other agencies, additional fire departments, county and other city agencies as well as all the law enforcement agencies in the area,” Iannuzzi said. “They’ve been very supportive.”