On Sunday at 3:36 p.m., the Merrill Fire Department was dispatched for a report of a metal shed on fire. This shed was approximately half full of chopped vegetation used for animal bedding. Several metal sheds were near the building on fire located at W6025 Joe Snow Rd., Town of Scott. Initial response from Merrill Fire Department included Engine 2 and Medic 1. Additional Merrill Fire response included Tender-65. Command from Engine 2 requested WPS to the scene. Command further requested mutual aid in the form of a tender and an engine from Corning F. D. and Tomahawk EMS to standby in Irma. Traffic control was provided by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.
Upon arrival, the shift commander reported moderate/heavy smoke showing from the eave area of the building. Command ordered the first arriving crew to initiate an aggressive interior attack with a pre-connected hose line. When the fire company made entry into the structure, they advanced their way to the base of the fire that was about 50 feet into the shed. A second hose line was deployed for back up and exposure protection. After the fire was extinguished, overhaul and salvage operations were conducted with the use of an endloader to move the large square bales away from the steel wall at and near the seat of the fire.
Interviews were conducted by the fire department with the homeowners. They stated that their chopper must have created an ember in one of the loads of vegetation being dumped into the shed. When they discovered the fire they did throw water on the flames. The cause of the fire is a mechanical failure with the chopper. No injuries to citizens or on scene personnel was reported. The damage is estimated at $10,000 for building and contents.