Fire destroys Berrien Springs home

BERRIEN SPRINGS, Mich.--- It was just before 1 p.m. when Fire Chief Bruce Stover received the fire call. 

"I was about 3 blocks away in a personal vehicle so I was first on the scene and we had fire showing out of the left side of the house," said Stover.

The flames ate away the left side of the house where Stover says the owners had a laundry room and bathroom.

Melissa and Matt Dospoy live in the house alone. They have two children, Matt and Lindsey, who have homes of their own and live nearby.

Stover has known the family for years.

"The Dospoys, I've known them for about 40 years," said Stover. "All of their family has worked for me, years ago, and they're just really good people."

Neighbors agree. We talked to several neighbors; all of whom had nothing but good things to say about the Dospoys.

Fortunately for the Dospoys no body was home at the time of the fire. However, they suffered the devastating loss of their new family pet; a Teacup Yorkshire Terrier puppy.

The Dospoys originally purchased the puppy to cheer them up after a death in the family. The puppy was a "little ball of joy," said a friend of the family.

When ABC 57 talked to Melissa Dospoy she said all she wanted was to see her puppy run out of the house. But, she knew it wouldn't happen.

The town of Berrien Springs is no stranger to devastating fires. This is the second in just 2 weeks and as one neighbor said, they will rally to support the Dospoys and help them through their time of need.