On May 25, 2013 at 2:01 p.m., Lincoln County Dispatch Center dispatched the Merrill Fire Department for a report of a garage fire. The 911 caller reported that he heard an explosion from the garage. The initial response from Merrill Fire included Engine 2, Tender 5, and Medic 1. Command requested Mutual Aid in the form of Tenders from Town of Russell FD and Pine River F.D. Tomahawk EMS was requested to Irma for ambulance service standby. A Pine River engine was requested to the Merrill Fire Station for a change of quarters stand-by assignment. WPS was requested to the scene to disconnect the power to the buildings and the WI DNR was paged to help with spot fires around the structures.
While enroute, Incident Command reported to incoming fire companies a heavy column of black smoke in the vicinity of the reported fire.
Upon arrival, Command was established by Engine 2 which reported heavy smoke and fire showing from a detached three and a half car single family garage. Command reported that the garage was to the ground. Command deployed two crews with hand lines to the fire. The initial fire attack was a defensive mode of operations, fighting the fire from an exterior of the structure and protecting the exposures. The water supply was established by a use of a Rural Shuttle Operation with the Town of Russell FD, Pine River FD and Merrill FD tenders. Once the initial fire was knocked down, the crews completed an overhaul operations and spot fire extinguishment.
Interviews were conducted with the homeowner and he stated that his wife had stated a fire in the burn barrel behind the garage about three hours before the fire. The homeowner further stated he was in the garage about one hour before the fire cutting wood on his table saw. The garage was totally destroyed along with its contents.
The homeowner contacted his insurance agent and fire will be under further investigation.