On April 30, 2016 Firefighter Richard Sheltra, 20, died from injuries sustained while operating on the interior of a commercial structure fire at a strip mall in Pineville, North Carolina. A second firefighter was injured in the incident which remains under investigation by local, state, and federal authorities.
Our condolences to the Sheltra Family & Friends, The Pineville-Morrow Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue, Inc., and to all affected by Firefighter Richard Sheltra's passing.
To date, 22 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2016. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Fatality Notices page.
(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)
