A firefighter died while battling a three-alarm fire Saturday night in a Pineville shopping center. Pineville fire crews responded just after 9 p.m. to a fire at Edwin Watts in the Countryside Shopping Center off Pineville-Matthews Road. Charlotte fire and Mecklenburg County fire crews assisted. Firefighters were battling a fire at a strip mall at 8500 Pineville-Matthews Road at 9:03 p.m. Saturday.
While working the fire, Sheltra was found in distress by other firefighters and was immediately removed from the building, officials said. A Mecklenburg County emergency medical services ambulance was already at the scene and immediately provided advanced lifesaving care to Sheltra. He was taken to Carolinas Medical Center Main in Charlotte where he died.
“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,” Pineville Volunteer Fire Department Chief Michael Gerin said. Sheltra served as a volunteer firefighter for three years with the Pineville Volunteer Fire Department.
"To see them having to grasp the fact that they have lost a fellow brother is very hard," Melissa Hemple said.
Two other firefighters were injured. One was treated on the scene and another was taken to the hospital, treated and released.
"We all work hard together, not only to serve our citizens of the towns we work for but also to serve each other, provide each other with those things that we need," Suthard said.
A memorial service with full fire department honors is currently being planned.