The Lincoln County 911 Communications Center dispatched the Merrill Fire Department at 11:40 a.m. Friday for a report of a structure fire in the garage at 406 ½ Scott Street, in the city of Merrill. The initial report was that the garage had a car and four-wheeler ATV inside. Other reports included multiple fire exposures of the house, multiple vehicles, as well as the next door garage. Initial response from the Merrill Fire Department included Engine 2, Medic 1, and Ladder 1. Command from Engine 2 requested Wisconsin Public Service to the scene to disconnect electric power to the structure. The Merrill Police Department assisted in scene safety with the downed power lines and traffic control. The Merrill Street Department set up barricades to protect the scene along with sand/salt on the iced up road ways.
Upon arrival to scene, command was established by Engine 2 which reported smoke and fire showing from a one story garage about 20 feet by 30 feet in size. The garage was fully involved in fire. Command used two crews deploying two hand lines to the fire. Because of the volume of fire and smoke, an exterior attack was used. Of the two hose lines deployed, one hose line was used for direct firefighting, while the other hose line was used to protect exposures of the house and garage.
Upon extinguishment of the fire, interviews were conducted with the tenants of the apartments, detailing activities that were taking place prior to the discovery of the garage fire. One tenant reported to command that there was no permanent power to the garage, only an extension cord that ran from the apartment supplying the garage. This extension cord ran a couple of lights and a radio. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Fire crews completed activities on scene in about one and one-half hours.