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At the top, firefighters were forced to use high-reaching equipment to battle the blaze Wednesday in a house with three stories and an attic at Third and Oregon in Berwick. Third from top, homeowner Harlan Kappel was able to get his dog out. The last two pictures, firefighters from all over eastern St. Mary Parish were called in or volunteered to help in their off-duty hours. (The Daily Review/Crystal Thielepape)

(Update) Firefighters join forces to combat fire

By Shea Drake sdrake@daily-review.com

BERWICK — East St. Mary Parish firefighters worked tirelessly Wednesday to extinguish a massive fire Wednesday at a three-story home on the 2800 block of Third Street in Berwick.

Berwick, Morgan City, Amelia, Bayou Vista and Patterson firefighters fought a fire believed to be started by an act of Mother Nature — lightning.

“The fire we believe started from lightning,” Berwick Fire Chief Allen “Noonie” Rink said. “The lightning hit the house in the attic. …

“We had to use the ladder trucks.”

The original 911 call came at 12:42 p.m., Rink said. The Berwick Police Department also contacted the fire department.

The first fire truck was on scene at 12:45 p.m.

The fire started in the attic, which is considered the fourth floor, Rink said. Then it moved to the third floor. Both floors were completely destroyed by fire.

The bottom floor also had fire and water damage to it.

Homeowner Harlan Kappel was unharmed. At the time of the fire, he was working at his restaurant.

“I was at work at East Gate BBQ,” Kappel said. “I was barbequing whenever my house was barbequing.

“When I got over here, the fire wasn’t through the roof and everything. The chimney looked like it took a direct hit because there were pieces of the chimney on the ground.

“It had gotten hit once by lightning before on the chimney. And it seared off a nice chunk of it. I’m pretty sure it was lightning.”

The original structure was built in the 1940s, Kappel said. The three-story section was added in 1985.

Firefighters were able to save the dog, Junior, Rink said. Junior is an eight-year old Weimaraner mix.

Kappel was able to salvage his clothes from the bottom floor. But he lost all of his pictures.

“He saved a lot of stuff from the bottom floor …,” Rink said. “But it’s as total a loss as you can get.”

The roof collapsed on one of the firemen.

“He was sent to the hospital but he is okay,” Rink said. “He’s out of the hospital now.”

Rink does not have information yet on the total numbers of firefighters who helped.

Several off-duty Tri-City area firemen arrived on scene carrying duffle bags so they could suit up and help.

Firefighters and residents brought several cases of bottled water and Gatorade to help replenish exhausted workers.

Over the years in conversation, firefighters passing by the house said, “If it ever caught on fire it would be a total nightmare,” Rink said.

“It’s so hard,” Rink said. “I believe it has 24 bedrooms. It’s massive.”

Rink expressed gratitude for having the assistance of other local firefighters on location.

“It’s just a complete fireman’s dream to have them definitely come together,” Rink said.

Firefighters left the scene around 8:12 p.m.

As far as rebuilding goes, Kappel is unsure of what will happen next.

“I don’t know if it’s a total loss … but it’s pretty bad though,” Kappel said. “There’s no determination right now. I don’t know how … I’m not sure if we’re going to rebuild … I don’t know what we’re going to do. It’s too soon.”

Kappel said he’s okay for the time being.

“I thank everybody for their outpouring support and we appreciate everybody’s prayers and thoughts,” Kappel said.

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