Flags flown at half-mast in honor of firefighter killed in Berlin bush fire – NBC Connecticut

Gov. Ned Lamont ordered Connecticut flags to fly at half-staff in honor of a firefighter who died Tuesday in a Berlin brush fire.

Robert Sharkevich Sr. was a member of the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department and was a former member of the Hartford Fire Department.

Sharkevich, 66, was at the scene of a massive bushfire on Wailing Mountain when the fire engine he was in overturned, officials said.

Sharkevich died and three other firefighters were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, according to authorities.

“His selfless dedication to public service and the safety of his community and surrounding towns is nothing short of heroic,” Governor Lamont said in a statement. “On behalf of the people of Connecticut, I thank him for his service to our state, and I extend my deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues at the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department and the Hartford Fire Department.

All United States and state flags must be lowered immediately and will remain lowered until sunset on the date of interment, which has not been determined.

The Lamentation Mountain Fire, now nicknamed the Hawthorne Fire, led to the closure of Lamentation Mountain State Park and Giuffrida Park in Meriden. The fire grew to more than 80 acres.

Firefighters said it could take three to four days before the fire is brought under control. The investigation is still ongoing.