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A devastating fire on Monday (January 26) morning in Berne resulted in the total loss of a home at 1580 Helderberg Trail. The resident of the home managed to escape unharmed after being awakened by a noise. According to Mary Alice Molgard, who handles public relations for the Berne Volunteer Fire Department, the house was fully engulfed in flames by the time firefighters arrived.
The fire, which started around 5 a.m., took about an hour to control, with firefighters from Berne, East Berne, and several neighboring departments working together to prevent the blaze from spreading. Despite their efforts, the two-story wood-frame house with a tin roof could not be saved. The neighboring house at 1578 Helderberg Trail sustained minor damage, including melted shutters and broken windows.
Molgard indicated that the fire might have originated from a wood stove. The cold weather and falling snow added challenges, causing equipment to freeze and creating icy conditions for the firefighters. However, the county assisted by plowing and sanding the area to improve safety.
The property has a full-market value of $276,316. Although the resident reportedly declined immediate assistance from the Red Cross, they were taken to the East Berne firehouse, which was open as a warming center, for support. Molgard noted that the resident was overwhelmed by the situation but could seek help from the Red Cross later if needed.