Firefighter dead, 2 injured after roof, floor collapse in Durham blaze: Officials

DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) — A blaze at a building in Durham early Thursday morning left a firefighter dead and two hospitalized, officials said.

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A CBS 17 team arrived at the scene of the fire around 4 a.m. at 410 Marly Drive near South Miami Boulevard, where flames could be seen coming from the building.

The fire was reported around 3:15 a.m. in a multi-story commercial building that appears was used as a home, according to the NC SBI.

SBI officials said part of the building’s roof collapsed, causing the second floor to also collapse. 

“Multiple firefighters were on the roof and inside on the first floor during the collapse. Several firefighters on the first floor were trapped. As a result, one of the firefighters was killed in the line of duty,” an NC SBI news release said.

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The two injured firefighters were taken to Duke Health for treatment and are expected to recover.

“We have unfortunately lost a member of our city fire department in the line of duty this morning,” Durham Mayor Leonardo Williams said in a statement. “

The NC SBI Arson Unit is investigating the cause and origin of the fire and the circumstances of the fatality. 

In a statement, the Raleigh Professional Firefighters Association said, “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.”

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