Two house fires in Merrill in one night
TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
The Merrill Fire Department battled two blazes in the City of Merrill within hours of each other in bad weather, beginning late evening on Tuesday, April 12, 2022.
Just before 10:30 p.m. the Department responded to a house fire at 111 Logan St. in Merrill where they “found heavy smoke and fire coming from the front of the home,” said Merrill Fire Chief Josh Klug.
While the home was occupied, everyone escaped safely, he confirmed.
“Personnel were able to knock down the fire from the outside prior to advancing inside to make the final extinguishment,” he said.
The home was heavily damaged and a car in the driveway and neighboring house also received damage. The fire is under investigation.
Merrill Fire Department received mutual aid from Wausau Fire Department, Corning Fire Department, Pine River Fire Department, Russell Fire Department, and Tomahawk EMS. The Merrill Police Department and Wisconsin Public Service provided assistance.
Less than two hours after the first call came in, the Merrill Fire Department was called to another house fire at 804 N. State St. in Merrill. At approximately 12:15 a.m. on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, firefighters arrived and “found heavy smoke and flames coming from the roof of the building,” Klug said. “Fire crews were able to fight the fire from the outside first and then went inside to put the fire out completely.”
This fire was reported by a neighbor. The house was vacant and received “moderate damage” according to Klug.
An initial assessment suggested the cause of the fire is “likely attributed to the severe weather,” but it is still under investigation.
Corning Fire Department, the Merrill Police Department, and Wisconsin Public Service provided assistance on scene, and Tomahawk EMS provided ambulance standby coverage.
“Firefighters also had to contend with the severe weather occurring at that time,” Klug added.