EAST BERNE — A fire destroyed an East Berne store Friday night, leaving the hamlet without its convenience store and gas station.

Though the outside of the Countryside Food Mart Mobile station looks in decent condition, the electrical fire gutted the inside, said the store’s owner, David Vincent. The merchandise is ruined by the fire, smoke, and water from the firefighters, Vincent said.
"Literally everything is on the floor," Vincent said. "Nothing is salvageable."

Members of the East Berne Volunteer Fire Company, which fought the fire, did not return calls this week.

The fire did not reach the gas pumps. It burned up through the beams of the roof, Vincent said.

The Countryside Mart was the only store of its type in the area, Vincent said. He’s operated the property for six years.
"It was a busy store for us," he said.

Vincent leased the building and the pumps from a Schenectady company. Most of the improvements were his company’s, he said.
"It’s going to end up being an economic decision by two parties," Vincent said on rebuilding. "We’re both committed to reestablishing this business."

Vincent, of Duanesburg, operates five other stores, on properties he owns. Three are in Schoharie County and two are in Schenectady County.

The store’s eight employees are being reassigned to his other stores, Vincent said. Four have already started work; the others are working out transportation, he said.

When he heard about the fire, Vincent said, he felt anxiety.
"The first thing that I discovered was no one was injured," Vincent said. It was a relief, he said.