Raleigh firefighter profiled in WRAL Investigates reports dies of cancer

A Raleigh firefighter who had been battling cancer for several years and was part of a WRAL Investigates series of stories on the cancer dangers firefighters face died Wednesday.

Lt. Brent Upton, 38, served with the Raleigh Fire Department for over 12 years before retiring in 2019.

Many people think of the biggest danger for firefighters is running into a burning building when, in reality, it's cancer.

WRAL Investigates covered how departments were paying closer attention to exposure to hazardous materials and then how they changed protocols regarding cleaning of turnout suits, ventilation and design of fire stations.

Upton was a young, healthy firefighter who worked out constantly when sudden abdominal pain led to a cancer diagnosis. Doctors found esophageal cancer had spread to his liver.

During a 2018 episode of "On the Record," he was candid about the risks for him and his fellow firefighters.

"It's really scary. I'm not only scared for myself, but for my friends and all my co-workers too," he said. "Now that I've gone through all this and kept myself in such good shape and eaten so healthy my whole life, for it to get my – you see some other guys that don't do as much and you just feel like it's just scary."

Raleigh Fire Chief Herbert Griffin on Thursday called Upton's death "deeply saddening."

"We can't replace him," Griffin said. "The takeaway is to keep educating the public and our organization on health and safety."

The chief said he wants to see firefighters pre-screened for cancer, and he said he hopes state lawmakers will increase the types of cancer that are approved for death benefits.

There's also pending legislation in North Carolina to apply worker's compensation laws to firefighter cancer.

Upton is survived by his wife and their young daughter. The family and the fire department are still working out funeral details.