Fallen Durham firefighter helps save 14 residents displaced after massive blaze, building collapse

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — State investigators are looking into the cause of a fire that killed a Durham firefighter after a roof collapse.

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On Friday, former residents of the building searched for their belongings after the massive fire ravaged their home on Marly Drive.

Angeles Waleska Vega Villatoro lived in the building for nearly three years. The pregnant mother said she smelled something burning and grabbed her young daughter while leaving everything behind.

“I was already so upset,” Villatoro said. “I just couldn’t figure out what to do.”

Officials said part of the building’s roof collapsed during the fire, causing the second floor to also collapse. Several firefighters became trapped on the first floor.

Durham firefighter Andrew Brokes died at just 24 years old while trying to save others.

“My heart aches for what the firefighter’s family is going through,” Melissa Reyes said. “He was the angel who gave his life to save 14 people who are still alive.”

Melissa Reyes told CBS 17 that 14 people lived in the building, including her elderly father. Reyes said the space wasn’t fit to be a residence, citing safety concerns, including no fire extinguishers on site.

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“I’m going to represent the people, the 14 Hispanics who are here, because it’s inhumane that the owner of this property hasn’t come forward,” Reyes said.

Residents said they paid around $550 in cash every month to a representative of the property owner. They also said neighbors had no idea that so many people were living in the building.

Now, without a permanent place to stay, they’re searching for answers.

“We had no choice but to tell [my daughter] that we weren’t going to live there anymore because it wasn’t going to be our home anymore,” Villatoro said.

The former residents of the building said the American Red Cross helped them book a few nights at a nearby hotel. But they don’t know what to do after that, and they’re asking the community to support them with food or clothing.

County records identify the property owner as Admiral Properties, LLC. Records show that the land is designated as commercial and was converted from residential.

CBS 17 attempted to contact the owner of the property, but we have not yet heard back.

According to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the agency is adding four arson teams to the case along with six other special agents.

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