— A firefighter with the Orange Rural Fire Department died Monday afternoon following a rescue call earlier in the day, according to the town of Hillsborough.

Assistant Chief Jeff Holden, 32, who had been with the Orange Rural Fire Department since September 2001, was found unresponsive at the main station in downtown Hillsborough at about 1:30 p.m., following the call.

Revival attempts by the crew on shift and by emergency workers were unsuccessful.

According to a news release, Holden was one of two firefighters who entered a trench on West Ten Road, in Efland, to free a person who was trapped.

“We are devastated,” Deputy Chief Mac Cabe. "Chief Holden was a critical piece of our organization and will be forever missed."

Orange Rural Fire Department provides fire, rescue and first responder services to about 64 square miles in central Orange County, including Hillsborough.

Holden leaves behind a wife and child. The Orange Rural Fire Department opened a scholarship fund for the Holden's child.

The State Medical Examiner’s Office will rule on the cause of death.

Gov. Roy Cooper has ordered all U.S. and state flags at state facilities to be lowered to half-staff until sunset Saturday to honor Holden.