Garage Fire in Town of Rock Falls Monday September 9 Causes Heat and Smoke Damage

TOWN OF ROCK FALLS – The Merrill Fire Department received a call at 3:32 PM on Monday, September 9 with a report of a garage fire at N4459 Mary Todd Court in the Town of Rock Falls. Initial reports were that smoke and flames were coming from the eves of the garage. The Department dispatched four vehicles to the scene, two of those EMS units. Firefighters were advised that while the garage was detached, other structures were located nearby.

The initial response from the Merrill Fire Department included Engine 61, Medic 61, Medic 63 and Tender 65. A request for additional resources went out to Tomahawk EMS and Wisconsin Public Service, along with a General Alarm for off-duty Merrill Firefighters.

Units first arriving on scene reported smoke was visible from the eves and flames were coming out of the northside of the building above the overhead doors of the unattached garage. A 1 ¾’ hose line was deployed by initial responders to extinguish the flames on the exterior of the building, allowing them to quickly engage in forced entry through a service door on the northside so they could extinguish the flames on the interior.

Initial investigation has shown the fire to be unintentional in nature, as it was likely caused by a bug zapper that was live and was placed very close to an interior wall. The bug zapper may have overheated or had a malfunction.

The garage and its contents sustained fire, smoke and heat damage. No injuries were reported.