Cooke, 60, was helping fight the accidental fire when he suffered a cardiac arrest at the scene. He was taken to Nash General Hospital and later transferred to Wake Medical Center, where he passed away.
Cooke lived in the Salem area and served the Fire Department for 20 years. Cooke leaves behind a daughter. Funeral arrangements have not been set.
A fund is being set up through the Salem District Volunteer Fire Department. Roughly 25 people volunteer for the department.
