Three firefighters battling a three-alarm fire Sunday afternoon in Merrimac were taken to nearby hospitals—one for a “heart-related medical emergency” and two for injuries fighting the blaze.
Fire Chief Larry S. Fisher did not identify the firefighters or provide their conditions as of Sunday night. In a statement, the chief said firefighters were dispatched at about 2:15 p.m.to a single-family home on Skunk Road in Merrimac. A second and third alarm were struck requesting additional apparatus and manpower.
“The first arriving firefighters attempted to attack the fire but were met by extremely heavy flames and were pushed back,” he said.
Heavy flames spread to nearby brush and wood and local and mutual aid crews were aided by Massachusetts DCR Forest Fire Control and Forestry Division. Fisher reported significant water supply and water pressure issues at nearby hydrants “hampered initial firefighting efforts.”
An investigation is underway by the Merrimac Fire Department and Massachusetts State Fire Marshal’s office.