Firefighters called to suspicious fire at Merchants Wharf

Firefighters say Saturday evening’s trash can fire is the fifth suspicious fire at Merchants Wharf within the last month.

Capital City Fire/Rescue Capt. Noah Jenkins says all available personnel and vehicles from all five stations were initially dispatched to respond to the fire that started in the first floor women’s bathroom of the downtown waterfront mall.

The fire was doused with a pitcher of water by the fast-acting owner of a hair salon across the hall and a waiter from The Hangar on the Wharf. They also took the trashcan outside before firefighters arrived.

“We went into the bathroom which was full of smoke and smelt like burning paper,” Jenkins said. “Ash was strewn about the bathroom. There was a vent fan activated in the bathroom that seemed to be slowly clearing the smoke out.”

Jenkins said neither the building’s fire alarm nor sprinkler system activated during the fire.

There was no estimate of damage immediately available.

The Fire Marshal’s office started their investigation of the scene as firefighters returned to their stations.

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