TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
On Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, just after 8:30 a.m., the Merrill Fire Department (MFD) was dispatched to N3340 County Rd. K in the Town of Merrill for a possible chimney fire. Merrill Engine-61, Tender-65, and Medic-62 responded immediately and, “while en route to the scene, Lincoln County Dispatch notified responding units that smoke was coming from the attic and was likely a structure fire,” a press release from the Merrill Fire Department stated.
At that point, and prior to the arrival of the units en route, the Merrill Fire Department Incident Commander requested mutual aid from Corning, Pine River, Russell, and Wausau Fire Departments.
The lone occupant of the house and his dog were out of building prior to the arrival of the Merrill Fire Department, however, the occupant was transported by MFD ambulance to Aspirus Merrill Hospital for treatment of injuries received from the fire. His dog was unharmed.
“In addition to the mutual aid fire departments, 11 off-duty Merrill firefighters responded to the fire station on a callback,” Fire Chief Josh Klug said. “They were able to assist at the fire as well as staff other Merrill Fire and EMS units.”
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Merrill Police Department, Wisconsin Public Service, and Lincoln County Highway Department also assisted with the incident, according to the MFD release.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
“This is the second red bulb on the Merrill Fire Department’s Keep the Wreath Green fire prevention campaign wreath,” Klug said. “Each red bulb represents a structure fire in our jurisdiction from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day.” The wreath hangs on the outside of the Merrill Fire Department building at the corner of Pier and E. Second Streets.