Just after midnight on Tuesday morning, Lincoln County 911 Communications Center dispatched the Merrill Fire Department for a report of a house struck by lightning with smoke coming from the attic area at N1068 Corning Road, Town of Scott.
Initial response from Merrill Fire Department included Engine 2, Medic 1, and Tender 65. Additional Merrill Fire response was Medic 2, Rescue 1, Car 1, and the Merrill Fire Chief. Command from Engine 2 requested WPS to the scene to disconnect power. Command further requested mutual aid from Corning F. D. and Tomahawk EMS to standby in Irma. Traffic control was provided by Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department.
Upon arrival, the shift commander reported light smoke showing from the attic 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 second floor where they found the fire in the attic spaces. A ventilation hole was cut in the roof in conjunction with a ventilation fan to remove the hazardous gases and smoke from the building. Two more hose lines were deployed for back up and exposure protection. Interior crews removed drywall and paneling throughout the second floor ceilings and extinguished the fire in the exposed areas. After the fire was extinguished, overhaul and salvage operations were conducted.
Interviews were conducted by the fire department with the homeowner’s son. He reported that his parents were out of state on vacation. He further stated he was awoken by the storm and stated he heard and felt the lightning strike the house. He investigated and found light smoke on the second floor and attic area of the house and contacted 911. The cause of the fire is storm related. No injuries to citizens or on scene personnel were reported. The damage is estimated at $40,000 from building and contents.