Monday morning at 5:42 a.m., Lincoln County 911 Communications Center dispatched the Merrill Fire Department for a report of a barn fire at W6945 Joe Snow Road, Town of Scott. Initial response from Merrill Fire Department included Engine 2, and Tender 65. Additional Merrill Fire response included Medic 1, Medic 2, Engine 1 Rescue 1, and Car 67. Command from Engine 2 requested WPS to the scene to disconnect power. Command further requested Mutual Aid in the form of a Tender and an Engine from Corning F.D. Hamburg F.D. Tender and Maine F. D. Tender. Traffic control was provided by Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department. The Salvation Army set up a mobile canteen to provide a rehabilitation center for emergency workers, the farm workers and neighbors.
Upon arrival, the incident commander reported heavy fire and smoke from a fully involved barn. The fire was impinging on the garage and home near the barn. Command ordered the first arriving crew to initiate a defensive attack and protect the exposures of the garage and house. Due to reports of a missing occupant, command and one of the on scene law enforcement officers entered to check the building for that occupant; she was located later at a different location. Upon arrival of the Corning Fire Department resources, a second defensive fire attack was initiated from the west side of the barn. During the course of the fire, two track-hoes were brought in move the metal and hay to extinguish the fire. A rural water supply operation was used and approximately 130,000 gallons of water were transported to the scene and used.
It was reported that there were about 500 cows and calves on the farm in many different barns at the time of the fire. During the initial operations, approximately 30-40 neighbors of the farm came to the scene and built a one-half mile fence line to move some of the cows to the safety of a neighboring farm. Many other cows and calves were transported through the day to other farms and milking facilities throughout three-county area.
Interviews were conducted by the fire department with the owner of the farm, Hans Breitenmoser, and his workers. It was reported that the workers smelled smoke about 5 a.m., they investigated and felt the smell came from an outside wood burning heating device. About 5:40 a.m., a neighbor reported flames seen from the second story or haymow area. The cause of the fire is still under investigation at this time. No injuries to citizens or fire service personnel were reported. There is a report of a minor injury to a law enforcement officer. The damage is estimated at $750,000 for building, equipment and contents.