By Jalen Maki
Tomahawk Leader Co-Editor
MERRILL – A man was injured in a house fire in the City of Merrill in the early morning hours of Friday, Feb. 7, Merrill Fire Department Chief Josh Klug said.
The department responded to a structure fire on the 100 block of East Riverside Avenue just before 1 a.m., Klug said. Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy black smoke coming out of the front window, door and eves. The owner of the home, a 62-year-old man, was already outside when firefighters arrived and informed them no one else was in the building.
A neighbor originally reported the fire after smelling smoke and hearing someone yelling for help, Klug said. The owner of the home suffered injuries while trying to extinguish the fire himself before firefighters arrived and was transported by ambulance to Ascension Good Samaritan Hospital in Merrill. As of press time, the victim’s condition was unknown.
Klug said the department will continue to investigate the cause of blaze, but do not expect foul play to be a factor.