UPDATE: Resident rescued, dog perishes in Merrill apartment blaze

Wausau Pilot & Review

UPDATED: One person was rescued from a second floor apartment but a dog died of smoke inhalation during the an early morning fire in Merrill, authorities said.

The blaze was reported at about 2:30 a.m. Tuesday in the 200 block of East Second Street, a building that contained four apartments and one business. At least five fire departments responded to the blaze, along with the American Red Cross and Wisconsin Public Service.

Dispatch informed fire crews that a resident was trapped inside on the second floor. Firefighters rescued a woman from an upstairs window, then battled the blaze that had spread to the apartment building next door.

The fire was eventually contained, but only after significant damage to the buildings, Merrill Fire Chief Josh Klug said.

The fire likely started in the upper stairwell of the apartment and appears unintentional, but the official cause has not yet been determined, Klug said.

No people were injured during the blaze or the rescue operation, officials said.

Fire officials have not said what caused the blaze. The extent of the damage is so far unknown.

This is a developing story that will be udpated.