Merrimac, Massachusetts, Multi-Family House Damaged by Fire

Firefighters battled a fire in the common wall of a multi-family house in Merrimac on Monday morning.

The fire started around 7:30 a.m. at the two-story house on Church Street as arriving firefighters in below freezing temperatures found nearby fire hydrants frozen and smoke coming from the wall, according to Merrimac Fire Chief Larry Fisher. Water on board fire trucks was used per the department's protocol.

The fire was brought under control by approximately 8:40 a.m.

Both families that live in the home were temporarily displaced as utilities were turned off, according to Fisher. One of the families may have to wait to return home until repairs are made.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Merrimac Police and Fire Departments and the Massachusetts State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Amesbury, Salisbury, West Newbury, East Kingston, and Newton, New Hampshire, sent firefighters to the scene.

It was the second house fire in the Seacoast region in the past two days.

A farmhouse in Eliot built in 1855 suffered serious damage from a fire Saturday night. A mother and her two daughters were displaced by the fire.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH