Chief Larry Fisher reports that the Merrimac Fire Department extinguished a garage fire on Monday morning.
On Monday, July 10, at 5:10 a.m., Merrimac Firefighters responded to reports of a fire at 45 West Shore Road, in a garage with a recreational vehicle parked beside it.
The garage was determined to be fully involved upon arrival. There were no reported injuries.
Mutual aid was provided by the Amesbury, Plaistow, N.H., Newton, N.H., East Kingston, N.H., and Kingston, N.H., Fire Departments. Station coverage was provided by West Newbury and Kensington, N.H., Fire Departments. A Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) was provided by the Salisbury Fire Department.
The Merrimac Department of Public Works assisted on scene with debris removal.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Merrimac Fire Department and the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
“While the exact cause of this fire is undetermined, investigators believe it may have involved an electrical event. Having a licensed electrician review your home’s electrical system every 10 years can help to identify potential problems before they become hazards,” said State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey. “Issues like loose sockets, frequently blown fuses or tripped circuits, and dim or flickering lights suggest issues that need to be addressed soon. When charging phones, laptops, power tools, or mobility devices with lithium-ion batteries, always use the charging devices provided by the manufacturer, and never leave them charging overnight. These batteries store a lot of power in a small package, and they can create a serious fire hazard if abused or misused.”
“In light of this incident, we want to remind our residents of the importance of electrical safety. Always follow operational manuals and instruction guidelines when using devices with lithium-ion batteries or working with electrical. You should consider consulting with trained professionals and installing an advanced circuit breaker, which can shut off electricity when a problem is detected. It only takes a second for electrical devices to cause a fire, so acting with care is crucial to keep your family safe,” Chief Fisher said. “I also would like to thank all of the departments that provided mutual aid during this incident. We greatly appreciate your assistance in protecting the residents of Merrimac.”
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