Garage destroyed in Merrill. Image courtesy: Merrill Fire Department
MERRILL, WI (WSAU) — Fire crews responded to a detached garage fire in Merrill on Thursday evening.
The fire was reported at about 5:15. Initially, just two firefighters responded to the scene because the other three on-duty staffers were working an ambulance call.
Mutual aid was requested from a handful of other departments including Wausau, and once the scene was fully staffed crews managed to knock the flames down and save the nearby home.
In addition to short-staffing first responders also had to overcome water supply issues and the cold weather. There was also a close call with a downed power line nearby, and two police officers were hospitalized for smoke inhalation.
Two “unruly bystandards” were also arrested for interfering with firefighting operations.
No serious injuries were reported though the family did lose power to the home and spent the night in a hotel. The home’s exterior did suffer heat damage but will remain livable.
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