Durham firefighter dies in accidental fall

An off-duty Durham firefighter died Tuesday morning when he fell out of a tree while cutting limbs for a tree service, authorities said.

Brad Roberts, 25, was working in the 1100 block of Woodburn Drive when he fell. He was taken to Duke University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Roberts joined the Durham Fire Department in March 2005 and was assigned to Fire Station No. 1.

The Durham Police Department is handling the investigation, but authorities said the fall appears to be an accident.

“Our department is devastated today by the death of one of our firefighters," Durham Fire Chief Bruce Pagan. "The fire service is a very closely knit profession, and we will support each other through this difficult time."