By Stephen Underwood
Hartford Courant
BERLIN, Conn. — Gov. Ned Lamont directed U.S. and state flags in Connecticut lowered to half-staff in honor of a member of the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department and former member of the Hartford Fire Department who died in the line of duty while responding to a brush fire at Lamentation Mountain in Berlin on Tuesday.
Robert Sharkevich Sr ., a 66-year-old veteran firefighter, died on Tuesday after a UTV rolled over while he was helping battle a large brush fire on Lamentation Mountain in Berlin, according to the Meriden Police Department.
Meriden police determined the UTV was operating on a steep rocky incline as part of the firefighting efforts when it rolled over onto Sharkevich. Three other firemen were also injured in the rollover and were transported to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries, Meriden police said.
After the Berlin Police Department determined the crash occurred in Meriden, the Meriden Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit in partnership with the Meriden Detective Division Evidence Identification unit took over the investigation with assistance from the Midstate Accident Reconstruction Unit.
Lamont said Sharkevich had “selfless dedication to public service and the safety of his community.”
“I am very heartbroken to learn the news of the tragic loss of Firefighter Sharkevich, who died while bravely and courageously responding to the brush fire at Lamentation Mountain in Berlin,” Lamont said.
“This is a tragic reminder of the sacrifice and risk that our professional and volunteer firefighters face day in and day out when they put on their uniforms,” Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz added. “Firefighter Sharkevich bravely answered the call to assist the area’s fire crews in responding to this brush fire, and he will forever be remembered as a hero. My heart breaks for his loved ones and the members of the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department , the Hartford Fire Department , and Connecticut’s whole firefighting community. I am keeping each of them and their loved ones in my thoughts and prayers.”
Officials from around the state began sending their condolences Tuesday night as the news spread.
“As a state, we unite in mourning this tragic loss of a courageous first responder. We pray for the Wethersfield Fire Department . We pray for Wethersfield. We pray for all who knew, loved, and were protected by this dedicated firefighter. We also pray for the firefighters who are still in harm’s way as they continue to fight this fire,” the Connecticut Senate Republican Caucus said in a statement.
“I am heartbroken for the entire Wethersfield Fire Department and the friends and family of the brave firefighter lost battling the Lamentation Mountain brush fire. My thoughts are with all of the courageous firefighters and first responders still working to control this fire through their grief,” Connecticut Attorney General William Tong said in a statement.
Around 40 firefighters continued to fight the large brush fire on Tuesday that started Monday night on Lamentation Mountain in Berlin. The fire is east of Sea Green Drive and Bannon Lane moving northeast at a slow rate of speed, according to the Berlin Fire Department.
Lamont said the Connecticut National Guard has been called up to provide aerial support along with a fire crew from Maine at a press conference on Tuesday.
“Fire officials have the brush fire in Berlin contained and are working around the clock to protect the area,” Lamont said in a statement on Tuesday. “I’m activating the Connecticut National Guard. and we’re working with a crew from Maine that can use helicopters to drop water to limit any further expansion and keep the area safe.”
Despite the size of the fire growing to between 80 to 90 acres, there is no threat to buildings or people, and no evacuations have been made as of 4 p.m. Tuesday , Kensington Fire Department Chief Jeff Pajor said during a press conference on Tuesday.
Officials said they are bracing for the fire to possibly grow larger on Wednesday as wind gusts are expected to impact the state.
“Right now, judging from the drone footage, we don’t expect it to push downhill anymore,” said Chief John Massirio of the Berlin Fire Department. “But like I said before, we do expect conditions to worsen for us by noon, with the sun coming up the humidity just keeps dropping and it’s going to make it harder for us out there.”
Additional resources were called in from Newington, Wethersfield , Rocky Hill, Cromwell and Meriden. Crews said they expect the fire to be “prolonged,” and that it will take multiple days to contain. A no-fly restriction has been issued for the area, according to officials.
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