Why are flags at half-staff today in NC? Here’s what to know
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All United States and North Carolina flags are ordered to flag at half-staff on Friday, Oct. 9 in memory of a Durham firefighter who died searching potential victims during a fire this week.
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Andrew Brokes, 24, died Thursday morning after a burning building collapsed while crews were searching for victims at a building at 410 Marly Drive in southeastern Durham, The News & Observer reported. Two other firefighters were injured, treated at Duke University Hospital and then later released.
“Today we mourn the loss of Andrew Brokes, a young Durham firefighter who died keeping people safe,” said Gov. Josh Stein in a news release. “Firefighter Brokes sustained fatal injuries while heroically searching for victims inside a burning building. Let us keep his colleagues and loved ones in our thoughts and prayers. May his memory be a blessing.”
It was “second nature” for Brokes to want to help someone he didn’t know, a calling that led Brokes to carry on a family tradition of serving as firefighters, The N&O reported.
Fire Chief Robert Zoldos II called Brokes’ death a “heartbreaking loss for our department, the family, and the entire community,” according to a statement The N&O reported. He joined Fire Station 13 in May 2025, according to a news release.
The flags will be at half-staff from sunrise to sunset.
Flags can be ordered lowered by the North Carolina Governor at state buildings and by a Presidential proclamation, which affects federal buildings, grounds and naval vessels.
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“At no time shall an order be given that would result in the flag of the state of North Carolina being displayed in a manner inconsistent with the various policies governing the display of both the United States and North Carolina flags,” according to the flag code.
Stein previously ordered flags lowered to half-staff for a state trooper killed in a crash and after a state representative died from cancer, The N&O reported.
In addition to somber remembrances, the flags can be lowered for some holiday observances like:
Portions of this story were previously reported by The News & Observer.
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This story was originally published October 9, 2026 at 1:10 PM with the headline “Why are flags at half-staff today in NC? Here’s what to know.”
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