MULTIPLE AREA FIRE CREWS RESPOND TO BATTLE TOWN OF PINE RIVER STRUCTURE FIRE

TOWN OF PINE RIVER – Last Saturday, Pine River firefighters were dispatched to a reported structure fire at W4008 County Road G in the Town of Pine River, Merrill. The initial report was that an outbuilding housing an automobile was on fire and a 100-gallon propane tank was near the building. Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies reported heavy fire and smoke coming from the structure upon arrival and no parties were present. Firefighters arrived to find the steel-frame outbuilding fully engulfed.

In addition to battling the weather, crews contended with a significant fuel load that included oil, diesel, tires, straw, and other landscaping materials. A strong wind helped with the effort by pushing the fire away from the propane tank and a nearby home, though Firefighters labored through a snowstorm  for several hours to contain the blaze.

A MABAS Box Alarm was requested when the call was initiated, bringing manpower, water and equipment from Hewitt, Merrill, Russell and Texas Fire Departments to the scene.

Initial investigation points to an improperly installed wood furnace as the cause of the fire. No injuries were reported, and the building was considered a total loss.