A nine-month-old puppy died and two families lost their homes after a fire ripped through a Lincoln County duplex. The Pine River Fire Department responded to a call around 11:20 a.m. Tuesday on Grantwood Court, several miles south of Merrill. A deputy on scene found the building already collapsing shortly after arrival. Firefighters on scene said the fire started in one half of the duplex and spread to the other half. Emergency crews gave the puppy emergency aid at the scene, then took it to a nearby animal hospital, but the dog was put down due to its injuries. The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office tells Newswatch 12 the fire doesn't appear to be suspicious.