The Charlotte Observer
PINEVILLE, N.C. — A Pineville firefighter was killed while battling a three-alarm fire Saturday night at a strip mall on Pineville-Matthews Road.
Richard Sheltra, 20, worked with the Pineville Volunteer Fire Department for three years. He was named Rookie of the Year in January, though no longer new to the department.
#BREAKING: Pineville firefighter killed in line of duty identified as Richard Sheltra. He’s on right in this photo pic.twitter.com/gOWDW7xLHF
— WSOCTV (@wsoctv) May 1, 2016
“This is a very sad day for our Department, in particular the Pineville Community, as we mourn the passing of a friend, a brother and very dedicated volunteer,” Chief Michael Gerin said in a statement Sunday.
The fire that claimed Sheltra’s life was reported shortly after 9 p.m. at Countryside Plaza, 8500 Pineville-Matthews Road. The Edwin Watts golf store was ablaze. The store closed at 6 p.m. that day.
Units from the Pineville and Charlotte fire departments responded and soon reported battling dense smoke that had accumulated.
A makeshift memorial at the Pineville Fire Dept for fallen firefighter Richard Sheltra pic.twitter.com/0kPzR1chDR
— NBC Charlotte (@wcnc) May 1, 2016
As they worked to contain the fire, firefighters found Sheltra in distress and immediately removed him from the building, according to a report from the Pineville VFD.
A Mecklenburg EMS ambulance was already on scene and transported Sheltra to Carolinas Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, the report said.
The nature of Sheltra’s injuries has not been fully determined, said Bill Suthard, a spokesman for the Huntersville Fire Department who spent part of the day helping out in Pineville.
Flag at half staff for firefighter killed in the line of duty at Pineville Fire Department pic.twitter.com/lhKeKBaDQD
— Robin Kanady (@RobinFox46) May 1, 2016
Two other Pineville firefighters were injured as well, but their injuries were not life-threatening, Suthard said. One was treated at the scene. A second was transported to Carolinas Medical and later released.
Firefighters from neighboring departments – Mecklenburg, York and Lancaster, as well as the NC State Fire Association – turned out to offer support and manpower as firefighters in Pineville grieved, Suthard said.
“We have had people in and out of this office all day and since last night – quite a few,” Suthard said. “Mecklenburg County firefighters have either reached out or arrived here. There is food here. It’s what we call the brotherhood.”
Members of the community used social media as one way to deliver prayers and condolences.
“Fallen hero Richard Sheltra ... heros among us,” said a tweet from Chip Wilson of Iron Station. “God bless this soul and peace to the hearts of the family. Only 20 years old. Thank you for heroics sir!!!”
Suthard could not say whether Sheltra was overcome by smoke or injured. An investigation is continuing, led by the Mecklenburg County Fire Marshal’s office.
Sheltra is survived by his parents and a sister. A memorial service with fire department honors is being planned, the fire department’s statement said.
Areas around the store remained blocked off by tape much of the morning Sunday. A mobile command center vehicle was brought in Sunday, in part, to give the investigators shelter from the rain, Suthard said.
By Sunday afternoon, investigators were still walking in and out of the store. The local fire investigation task force also includes the Charlotte Fire Department, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Suthard said.
An employee standing outside the store Sunday afternoon said investigators hadn’t told them yet what might have caused the fire.
Inside the darkened building, racks of golf shirts and other merchandise could be seen. Outside, firefighting hoses lay tangled. An adjacent Family Dollar was closed Sunday because of water damage.
At the back of the store, a Charlotte fire truck ladder was extended to the store’s roof, which firefighters appeared to be examining around 2 p.m.
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