Two firefighters injured in Berwick fire

Two Berwick firefighters are recovering Thursday after they sustained injuries Wednesday in a commercial structure fire of suspicious origin.

One firefighter sustained an eye injury, Fire Chief Jody Acosta, and a second was a victim of heat exhaustion. Both were transported for treatment, and Acosta said both firefighters were fine Thursday.

Berwick Volunteer Fire Department trucks were called at 5:47 p.m. Wednesday to the fire on Third Street on the river side of the seawall. The building, elevated about 6 feet and housing offices, was already engulfed in flames.

Fighting the fire was complicated by the lack of hydrants on the unprotected side of the seawall. The nearest hydrant was about 1,000 feet away, Acosta said, so two Berwick trucks used the water they carry and water from the river.

A Bayou Vista Volunteer Fire Department truck also made the long connection to the nearest hydrant to feed water to the firefighters. The Morgan City Fire Department also contributed manpower to the effort.

“Multiple handlines, ground monitors, as well as the elevated waterway of an aerial truck were all in operation to provide additional water flow,” Acosta said in a Facebook post.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office will investigate the source of the fire.

“It’s definitely suspicious circumstances,” Acosta said Thursday, “due to there not being any electricity. There was no other source of ignition.”

In all, the Berwick Fire Department responded with 22 personnel, two engines and two service trucks.

Acosta expressed “sincere appreciation to the agencies and individuals who assisted during this difficult incident, including the Berwick Police Department, Bayou Vista Volunteer Fire Department, Morgan City Fire Department, Acadian Ambulance and the citizens of our community who came out to support firefighters by providing cold water and sports drinks during the firefight.”