No hydrant hinders fighting Berville house fire

Berville — Multiple area fire departments struggled on Saturday to extinguish a fire that overtook a home in Berville because the nearest due fire hydrant was six miles away. 

The fire engulfed a three-apartment house at 485 North Avenue around 8 a.m. Berville is in St. Clair County near Armada and Memphis in northern Macomb County.

Memphis Fire Chief Justen Diaz, who was on the scene, said at 11:30 a.m. that multiple fire departments in the area had to assist due to the lack of fire hydrants in the area. 

"The closest fire hydrant was about six miles away and it's really hindered our process," said Diaz. "We are still in active fire tactics right now so I don't have too many details."

Diaz said they are investigating what caused the fire but the morning wind made it easy to spread through the house. 

Dan Vettraino, 46, who became the owner of the house five weeks ago, said he was told one of the resident's daughters was in a downstairs bedroom when she lit a candle and went to sleep.

He said the house is now down to its foundation and he has insurance so he's not too worried. 

"Everybody got out safe, and all the pets, so that's a good thing," he said. "Quite a few departments were there. I think they ran out of water they could travel with." 

srahal@detroitnews.com