Southport Fire Chief Charles Drew said, and his death is being characterized as a “line-of-duty death.” It’s believed to be the first line-of-duty death in Brunswick County since the 1980s, Drew said.

Glauner said Payne, who has accepted a position as the new Hinckley Township Fire Department chief, has also had a noteworthy career in Brunswick. Since hiring on in 1986 as a part-time ...