BERWICK — A fire broke out at a Berwick office building, leading to a multi-agency response that included firefighters drafting water from the Atchafalaya River to douse the flames.

The Berwick Fire Department responded Wednesday afternoon to an office building on 3rd Street that was fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters began a defensive attack using tank water because there were no nearby hydrants.

Crews placed an engine along the riverbank to draft water directly from the Atchafalaya River. Mutual aid came from the Bayou Vista Volunteer Fire Department and the Morgan City Fire Department due to the heat, the complexity of the fire, and water supply issues. Multiple handlines, ground monitors and an aerial truck were used to fight the fire.

Berwick Fire Department investigators found no electrical power was being supplied to the building. Because of suspicious circumstances, the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office was called to help determine what started the fire.

Two firefighters were hurt during the response. One was treated for heat exhaustion and the other for an eye injury. Both were released from a hospital. No other injuries were reported.