Flags to Half-Staff After Orford Firefighter Dies in the Line of Duty

CONCORD, NH — Gov. Maggie Hassan, D-Exeter, has directed flags in New Hampshire to be flown at half-staff to honor a firefighter who passed away during the line of duty this weekend.

Charles Waterbury, a firefighter in Orford for about a decade, suffered a medical emergency while fighting a brushfire in Lyme on Sunday. He was transported to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy is scheduled for later today with the New Hampshire Medical Examiner’s Office. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

“Charles Waterbury courageously rushed to fight a brush fire in Lyme to protect his fellow citizens, and in doing so, was tragically taken from us far too soon,” Hassan said. “Through his service in the Orford Fire Department and the New Hampshire National Guard, Charles dedicated his life to keeping others safe, and his heroic commitment to public service has strengthened our state and our nation. Tom and I join all Granite Staters in mourning his tragic loss, and it is our responsibility as Granite Staters to come together in support of Charles’ family, loved ones, fellow firefighters and the entire Orford community.”

Flags will also be lowered on the day of his funeral, according to the governor’s office.