After several serious house fires in the Merrill area, the fire chief is addressing rumors of arson.
"To their credit, we have had a really long time between fatal fires in our community," said Merrill Fire Chief Josh Klug.
In the last two months, there have been two fatal fires and one that caused serious burn injuries.
"When you have a couple of them together like that, obviously curiosity gets the better of people," said Klug.
Now, the results of the fire investigations are in. "There was nothing suspicious about the fires," he said. "They were all considered accidental. "
Now, the department is bringing attention to prevention. In a Facebook post, the chief highlighted two prevention keys.
Smoke Detectors. Everyone needs a smoke detector. If you are at-risk and need one provided for you, Merrill residents can call the Merrill Fire Department at 715-535-2233 to set up an appointment.
"Close before you doze." By closing your bedroom door before you go to bed, you are creating a safety barrier that will allow you to wake up when a smoke alarm sounds.
