BY TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
The Merrill Fire Department (MFD) reports an early morning fire on Thursday, May 9, 2024, completely destroyed a home and unattached garage in the Town of Rock Falls. The Lincoln County 911 Dispatch Center received a report of a structure on fire at N5621 State Rd. 107 and dispatched the MFD at approximately 4:35 a.m. The MFD initially responded with Engine 61, Medic 62, and Tender 65.
Lincoln County Sheriff Deputies were the first to respond and verified the building was fully engulfed “with a majority of the structure being consumed by the fire and a power line down near the residence,” and at that time “it was unknown if the residence was occupied.”
A call went out for additional resources. Tomahawk EMS, Wisconsin Public Service, Pine River Fire Department, Corning Fire Department, and Town of Russell Fire Department responded, and a General Alarm was issued for off-duty Merrill Firefighters, according to the MFD.
“Upon arrival of the first responding units, heavy fire was noted to the residence, along with an unattached garage, with a majority of the structure already consumed by the fire,” the MFD said. The initial crews set to work to extinguish the blaze and also cool a 500 lb. propane tank near the structure; it was then shut off at the valve.”
“Rural water supply operations were set up and deployed,” the MFD said. “On-scene crews were able to extinguish the fire and performed overhaul. It was later confirmed that there were no occupants in the building.”
According to the MFD, both the home and unattached garage are a total loss. While the cause of the fire remains under investigation, the initial investigation suggests the fire was unintentional.
No injuries were reported.
