Firefighter killed, 3 injured in UTV rollover accident while battling bushfires

BERLIN, Conn. (WFSB/Gray News) – The American flag flies at half staff outside a Connecticut fire department after one of them was killed while battling a large wildfire.

Gov. Ned Lamont and emergency officials held a news conference Tuesday evening to provide an update on a wildfire deep in the woods of Berlin. At the time, officials said 66-year-old Robert Sharkevich Sr. of the Wethersfield Fire Department was injured after a firefighter's UTV overturned. It was later confirmed that he died from his injuries.

Three other Wethersfield firefighters were injured and taken to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries, WFSB reports.

Sharkevich was a retired firefighter with the Hartford Fire Department who still volunteered with the Wethersfield department.

According to police, a preliminary investigation revealed that the UTV was traveling on a steep, rocky slope when it rolled over onto Sharkevich, causing fatal injuries.

Berlin Fire Chief John Massirio says his department, along with others, will be there to help Wethersfield deal with this tragedy.

“It’s our worst nightmare, especially with a bushfire. It just shows you that this job is dangerous no matter where you are, whether it's in a building or out in the woods,” Massirio said.

Michael T. Emmett, superintendent of Wethersfield Public Schools, said Sharkevich, a father and grandfather, worked for the district as a carpenter in building services. He says counseling will be available at schools on Wednesday.

“Words cannot express the magnitude of this loss… On behalf of Wethersfield Public Schools, I extend our deepest condolences to the Sharkevich family and wish them peace and comfort during this difficult time,” Emmett said in a statement.

Lamont responded to Sharkevich's death on X:

“I am heartbroken to hear the news that a Wethersfield firefighter has died while responding to the Berlin bushfire. Firefighters do their best to keep our communities safe. My prayers are with his family and colleagues at this devastating time.”

Around 8:30 p.m., police and firefighters from dozens of cities and towns across the state joined a procession for Sharkevich from Berlin to the coroner's office in Farmington

Sharkevich's body is finally taken in another procession from the coroner's office to the funeral home.

Wildfires are a concern for Connecticut fire departments due to the lack of rain and extremely dry conditions. Multiple fires burned across the state on Monday.

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