Basement fire in duplex across from the MFD gets fast response

The Lincoln County 911 Dispatch Center received a call shortly before 7 p.m. on Friday night, Oct. 25, 2024, reporting a basement fire in a duplex located directly across the street from the Merrill Fire Department (MFD) at 111 Pier St. in Merrill. “An occupant of the upstairs apartment in the duplex called 911 to report fire and smoke coming from the basement of the residence,” Battalion Chief John Kraegenbrink of the MFD said in a press release.
The MFD responded quickly with Truck 63, Medic 61, and Engine 61 and utilized a 1 3/4” hose line to do an immediate attack from the exterior through a basement window, then entered the basement to completely extinguish the fire, the release said.
All occupants of the upper apartment were out of the home at the time of the MFD’s arrival, and the lower apartment is currently unoccupied, and no injuries were reported.
“Fire damage was limited to a small area in the basement,” Kraegenbrink said in the release. “A thorough search of the area involved with a thermal imaging camera did not reveal any indication of fire extension.”
“The thermal camera was also utilized to do a thorough check of the entire residence,” he said. “Two ventilation fans were used to clear smoke from the upper and lower apartments.”

“Wisconsin Public Service gas inspected the basement of the lower apartment and advised the gas would be shut off until the furnace could be inspected and the vent pipes replaced. He was able to turn on the gas to the upper apartment and verify proper operation.”
“Wisconsin Public Service electric determined the power was to be shut off to the lower apartment until electrical repairs were completed. The power for the upper apartment was able to stay on as we verified their electric was separate from the affected area,” Kraegenbrink said.
“Once it was determined that the fire was completely out and there was no further safety concerns, the upstairs occupants were allowed to resume normal activity inside the home,” he said.
No residents were displaced from their home as a result of the fire.
The ignition source that started the fire has not yet been determined.