Following the death of a Wethersfield firefighter, crews from across the state and beyond are working to contain a massive brush fire that has encroached on Berlin and Meriden.
The state is mourning a Wethersfield firefighter who died on Tuesday while responding to a massive brush fire that has burned about 90 acres in Berlin and Meriden. Officials said that it could take a month to fully extinguish the fire.
Wethersfield Volunteer Firefighter Robert Sharkevich Sr., 66, died on Tuesday after a utility task vehicle carrying four firefighters rolled over on a trail while working to contain the massive brush fire on Lamentation Mountain, which is now known as the Hawthorne fire.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that he died of a blunt impact injury to the head and neck, and his death was ruled an accident.
A procession was held on Wednesday afternoon to bring his body from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to the Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home in Wethersfield.
The Silas Deane Highway was closed from the Hartford city line to Wells Road for the procession and many people, including schoolchildren, lined the route to pay their respects.
"Firefighter Robert Sharkevich's dedication to the safety of our community is nothing less than heroic," Gov. Ned Lamont said on social media.
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Firefighter Robert Sharkevich's dedication to the safety of our community is nothing less than heroic. My prayers are with his family and colleagues with the Wethersfield Fire Dept. and Hartford Fire Dept. I have directed flags lowered in his honor. 🇺🇸
— Governor Ned Lamont (@GovNedLamont) October 23, 2024
🔗https://t.co/0w8nOBYnhj pic.twitter.com/nhk0oyhTIG
Three other firefighters were taken to the hospital to be treated for injuries that are not life-threatening and they have been released.
“We are truly heartbroken at the tragic passing of Wethersfield Firefighter, Robert E. Sharkevich Sr. His dedication and bravery will always be remembered. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and the Wethersfield Fire Department," Wethersfield Mayor Ken Lesser said in a statement.
Sharkevich, who was known as Sharkey, was also a retired Hartford firefighter, according to police.
"Whether retired or active, every firefighter is a vital part of our brotherhood, and their loss is felt profoundly by all," the Hartford Fire Department said in a statement. "The legacy of Firefighter Sharkevich will continue to inspire us and remind us of the bravery and commitment that define our profession."
"It's definitely felt throughout the surrounding towns, not, you know, just a Wethersfield thing or a Berlin thing or Newington. Whether you know any of these, we're a family and [it] affects everybody here," Berlin Fire Chief Jonn Massirio said.
"There's long-lasting relationships between these people. We're a tight-knit family," Massirio said.
Sharkevich was a husband, father, grandfather and community volunteer. He was also a carpenter and maintainer in the Wethersfield school district for the last four years, according to a statement from the town.
On Tuesday night, a procession was held to bring Sharkevich from the scene of the accident to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Farmington.
The line of engines and vehicles stretched for miles as departments from all over Connecticut escorted the fallen firefighter's body.
The governor has directed flags in Connecticut to fly at half-staff in honor of Sharkevich. All U.S. and state flags will remain lowered until sunset on the date of interment, which has not been determined.
The Meriden Police Department is leading the investigation.
Efforts to control the fire
Smoke from the fire continues to bellow and officials said it could be three to four days before the blaze is contained.
At a news conference on Wednesday, fire officials said they estimated that the fire has consumed about 87 acres and crews could be there for at least a month.
About 70 fire personnel have assisted with efforts to contain the fire. More resources from area departments and from out-of-state have also been called in.
Fire officials said they have the fire contained within a box at this time and crews are working to secure the edges. Wednesday's weather tested those lines with windy conditions.
The fire has spread mainly to the north and south along the ridgelines behind Sea Green Drive and the south edge has extended into Meriden, according to the Berlin Volunteer Fire Department.
Crews are focusing their efforts to the northeast corner of the fire.
The Connecticut National Guard was called in to drop water on the fire and began doing so on Wednesday. Two National Guard airships dumped water Wednesday, and a third helicopter will be brought in Thursday.
An aerial forestry unit from Maine is also expected to provide resources to fight the fire from the air. Crews from Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Maine have been called in, too.
There will be limited staff keeping an eye on the fire overnight. The fire spread was very limited during the day Wednesday, and no more injuries have been reported.
The fire has not damaged any homes. No evacuation or shelter in place orders have been issued at this time.
Residents living on Silver Lake are being asked to stay off the lake for the next few days until the fire is contained.
Monitoring electrical impact
Eversource said it is closely monitoring electric transmission lines and equipment in the area and will be conducting aerial surveys on three of its high-voltage power lines around a mile and a half from where they believe the fire originated.
They said they have not identified issues with any electric equipment in the area and no associated power outages are reported.
“This large brush fire is in close proximity to our transmission lines, which are the backbone of the regional electric grid, and with winds expected to pick up, we’re not taking any chances,” Eversource president of electric operations in Connecticut Steve Sullivan said. “We have plans in place to quickly redirect power to other lines to minimize any disruption to our customers and we’re maintaining close communication with the Governor’s office, DEEP and local partners at Berlin fire and police regarding the fire and any potential impact it could have on the electric system. Our team on the ground is also ready to assist emergency responders in any way we can.”
Closures
The fire on Lamentation Mountain led to the closure of Lamentation Mountain State Park and Giuffrida Park in Meriden.
The @CTNationalGuard have begun dropping water on the Berlin brush fire and they just sent along these pics and vid. They’re using their UH-60 Blackhawk and CH-47 Chinook. They’ll continue to grab water from Silver Lake and carry it to the site of the fire. pic.twitter.com/6mZ3TquWjW
— Governor Ned Lamont (@GovNedLamont) October 23, 2024
An alert went out to hikers in the area to stay away from the fire, particularly because of the amount of water being dropped to contain the blaze.
The Middletown Police Department said the city is closely monitoring the fire. Residents and commuters in the Westfield part of town by the Berlin/Meriden town line are being asked to avoid the area so that emergency crews can respond if needed.
Middletown residents are being encouraged to sign up for State of Connecticut and City of Middletown emergency notifications.
The Silver Lake boat launch is also closed.
A red flag fire warning was in effect for fire danger across Connecticut, but has since expired. Residents are urged to not use anything that sparks because any fire that starts is likely to catch and spread quickly.
The cause and origin of the fire is under investigation.
