At 3:05 Tuesday morning June 17th, 2003 Patrol Officer Sandy Hunt of the Merrill Police Department was on routine patrol when she spotted flames coming from an occupied twelve unit apartment building in Merrill.
Hunt alerted dispatch to the fire and immediately began evacuating residents. Hunt was able to make several entries into the burning building and evacuate residents to safety despite the intense flames. She was soon joined by Officer Patrick Wunsch who assisted in evacuating residents. The two tenants who occupied the apartment that is pictured in flames had to jump from their second story apartment window. They both received minor injuries and were treated and released.
The City of Merrill Fire Department along with the Corning Volunteer Fire Department fought the blaze for several hours before bringing it under control. The Wisconsin State Fire Marshall has determined the fire to be arson, and an investigation is ongoing. All residents have been placed in temporary shelter by the American Red Cross. No suspects have been named.
