diff --git a/app/vmselect/main.go b/app/vmselect/main.go
index 8a3d174f3..f2157b228 100644
--- a/app/vmselect/main.go
+++ b/app/vmselect/main.go
@@ -8,11 +8,9 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 	"time"
 
-	"github.com/VictoriaMetrics/VictoriaMetrics/app/vmselect/netstorage"
 	"github.com/VictoriaMetrics/VictoriaMetrics/app/vmselect/prometheus"
 	"github.com/VictoriaMetrics/VictoriaMetrics/app/vmselect/promql"
 	"github.com/VictoriaMetrics/VictoriaMetrics/app/vmstorage"
-	"github.com/VictoriaMetrics/VictoriaMetrics/lib/fs"
 	"github.com/VictoriaMetrics/VictoriaMetrics/lib/httpserver"
 	"github.com/VictoriaMetrics/VictoriaMetrics/lib/logger"
 	"github.com/VictoriaMetrics/VictoriaMetrics/lib/timerpool"
@@ -43,9 +41,6 @@ func getDefaultMaxConcurrentRequests() int {
 
 // Init initializes vmselect
 func Init() {
-	tmpDirPath := *vmstorage.DataPath + "/tmp"
-	fs.RemoveDirContents(tmpDirPath)
-	netstorage.InitTmpBlocksDir(tmpDirPath)
 	promql.InitRollupResultCache(*vmstorage.DataPath + "/cache/rollupResult")
 
 	concurrencyCh = make(chan struct{}, *maxConcurrentRequests)
diff --git a/app/vmselect/netstorage/netstorage.go b/app/vmselect/netstorage/netstorage.go
index ac16b2113..570be1cbb 100644
--- a/app/vmselect/netstorage/netstorage.go
+++ b/app/vmselect/netstorage/netstorage.go
@@ -53,9 +53,8 @@ type Results struct {
 	fetchData bool
 	deadline  Deadline
 
-	tbf *tmpBlocksFile
-
 	packedTimeseries []packedTimeseries
+	sr               *storage.Search
 }
 
 // Len returns the number of results in rss.
@@ -65,8 +64,12 @@ func (rss *Results) Len() int {
 
 // Cancel cancels rss work.
 func (rss *Results) Cancel() {
-	putTmpBlocksFile(rss.tbf)
-	rss.tbf = nil
+	rss.mustClose()
+}
+
+func (rss *Results) mustClose() {
+	putStorageSearch(rss.sr)
+	rss.sr = nil
 }
 
 // RunParallel runs in parallel f for all the results from rss.
@@ -76,10 +79,7 @@ func (rss *Results) Cancel() {
 //
 // rss becomes unusable after the call to RunParallel.
 func (rss *Results) RunParallel(f func(rs *Result, workerID uint)) error {
-	defer func() {
-		putTmpBlocksFile(rss.tbf)
-		rss.tbf = nil
-	}()
+	defer rss.mustClose()
 
 	workersCount := 1 + len(rss.packedTimeseries)/32
 	if workersCount > gomaxprocs {
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ func (rss *Results) RunParallel(f func(rs *Result, workerID uint)) error {
 					err = fmt.Errorf("timeout exceeded during query execution: %s", rss.deadline.String())
 					break
 				}
-				if err = pts.Unpack(rss.tbf, rs, rss.tr, rss.fetchData, maxWorkersCount); err != nil {
+				if err = pts.Unpack(rs, rss.tr, rss.fetchData, maxWorkersCount); err != nil {
 					break
 				}
 				if len(rs.Timestamps) == 0 && rss.fetchData {
@@ -156,18 +156,18 @@ var gomaxprocs = runtime.GOMAXPROCS(-1)
 
 type packedTimeseries struct {
 	metricName string
-	addrs      []tmpBlockAddr
+	brs        []storage.BlockRef
 }
 
 // Unpack unpacks pts to dst.
-func (pts *packedTimeseries) Unpack(tbf *tmpBlocksFile, dst *Result, tr storage.TimeRange, fetchData bool, maxWorkersCount int) error {
+func (pts *packedTimeseries) Unpack(dst *Result, tr storage.TimeRange, fetchData bool, maxWorkersCount int) error {
 	dst.reset()
 
 	if err := dst.MetricName.Unmarshal(bytesutil.ToUnsafeBytes(pts.metricName)); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("cannot unmarshal metricName %q: %s", pts.metricName, err)
 	}
 
-	workersCount := 1 + len(pts.addrs)/32
+	workersCount := 1 + len(pts.brs)/32
 	if workersCount > maxWorkersCount {
 		workersCount = maxWorkersCount
 	}
@@ -175,19 +175,19 @@ func (pts *packedTimeseries) Unpack(tbf *tmpBlocksFile, dst *Result, tr storage.
 		logger.Panicf("BUG: workersCount cannot be zero")
 	}
 
-	sbs := make([]*sortBlock, 0, len(pts.addrs))
+	sbs := make([]*sortBlock, 0, len(pts.brs))
 	var sbsLock sync.Mutex
 
-	workCh := make(chan tmpBlockAddr, workersCount)
+	workCh := make(chan storage.BlockRef, workersCount)
 	doneCh := make(chan error)
 
 	// Start workers
 	for i := 0; i < workersCount; i++ {
 		go func() {
 			var err error
-			for addr := range workCh {
+			for br := range workCh {
 				sb := getSortBlock()
-				if err = sb.unpackFrom(tbf, addr, tr, fetchData); err != nil {
+				if err = sb.unpackFrom(br, tr, fetchData); err != nil {
 					break
 				}
 
@@ -204,10 +204,10 @@ func (pts *packedTimeseries) Unpack(tbf *tmpBlocksFile, dst *Result, tr storage.
 	}
 
 	// Feed workers with work
-	for _, addr := range pts.addrs {
-		workCh <- addr
+	for _, br := range pts.brs {
+		workCh <- br
 	}
-	pts.addrs = pts.addrs[:0]
+	pts.brs = pts.brs[:0]
 	close(workCh)
 
 	// Wait until workers finish
@@ -314,8 +314,8 @@ func (sb *sortBlock) reset() {
 	sb.NextIdx = 0
 }
 
-func (sb *sortBlock) unpackFrom(tbf *tmpBlocksFile, addr tmpBlockAddr, tr storage.TimeRange, fetchData bool) error {
-	tbf.MustReadBlockAt(&sb.b, addr)
+func (sb *sortBlock) unpackFrom(br storage.BlockRef, tr storage.TimeRange, fetchData bool) error {
+	br.MustReadBlock(&sb.b, fetchData)
 	if fetchData {
 		if err := sb.b.UnmarshalData(); err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("cannot unmarshal block: %s", err)
@@ -483,6 +483,8 @@ func putStorageSearch(sr *storage.Search) {
 var ssPool sync.Pool
 
 // ProcessSearchQuery performs sq on storage nodes until the given deadline.
+//
+// Results.RunParallel or Results.Cancel must be called on the returned Results.
 func ProcessSearchQuery(sq *storage.SearchQuery, fetchData bool, deadline Deadline) (*Results, error) {
 	// Setup search.
 	tfss, err := setupTfss(sq.TagFilterss)
@@ -498,56 +500,40 @@ func ProcessSearchQuery(sq *storage.SearchQuery, fetchData bool, deadline Deadli
 	defer vmstorage.WG.Done()
 
 	sr := getStorageSearch()
-	defer putStorageSearch(sr)
-	sr.Init(vmstorage.Storage, tfss, tr, fetchData, *maxMetricsPerSearch)
+	sr.Init(vmstorage.Storage, tfss, tr, *maxMetricsPerSearch)
 
-	tbf := getTmpBlocksFile()
-	m := make(map[string][]tmpBlockAddr)
+	m := make(map[string][]storage.BlockRef)
 	var orderedMetricNames []string
 	blocksRead := 0
-	bb := tmpBufPool.Get()
-	defer tmpBufPool.Put(bb)
 	for sr.NextMetricBlock() {
 		blocksRead++
-		bb.B = storage.MarshalBlock(bb.B[:0], sr.MetricBlock.Block)
-		addr, err := tbf.WriteBlockData(bb.B)
-		if err != nil {
-			putTmpBlocksFile(tbf)
-			return nil, fmt.Errorf("cannot write data block #%d to temporary blocks file: %s", blocksRead, err)
-		}
 		if time.Until(deadline.Deadline) < 0 {
-			putTmpBlocksFile(tbf)
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("timeout exceeded while fetching data block #%d from storage: %s", blocksRead, deadline.String())
 		}
-		metricName := sr.MetricBlock.MetricName
-		addrs := m[string(metricName)]
-		if len(addrs) == 0 {
+		metricName := sr.MetricBlockRef.MetricName
+		brs := m[string(metricName)]
+		if len(brs) == 0 {
 			orderedMetricNames = append(orderedMetricNames, string(metricName))
 		}
-		m[string(metricName)] = append(addrs, addr)
+		m[string(metricName)] = append(brs, *sr.MetricBlockRef.BlockRef)
 	}
 	if err := sr.Error(); err != nil {
-		putTmpBlocksFile(tbf)
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("search error after reading %d data blocks: %s", blocksRead, err)
 	}
-	if err := tbf.Finalize(); err != nil {
-		putTmpBlocksFile(tbf)
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("cannot finalize temporary blocks file with %d blocks: %s", blocksRead, err)
-	}
 
 	var rss Results
 	rss.tr = tr
 	rss.fetchData = fetchData
 	rss.deadline = deadline
-	rss.tbf = tbf
 	pts := make([]packedTimeseries, len(orderedMetricNames))
 	for i, metricName := range orderedMetricNames {
 		pts[i] = packedTimeseries{
 			metricName: metricName,
-			addrs:      m[metricName],
+			brs:        m[metricName],
 		}
 	}
 	rss.packedTimeseries = pts
+	rss.sr = sr
 	return &rss, nil
 }
 
diff --git a/app/vmselect/netstorage/tmp_blocks_file.go b/app/vmselect/netstorage/tmp_blocks_file.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 7a278898f..000000000
--- a/app/vmselect/netstorage/tmp_blocks_file.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,185 +0,0 @@
-package netstorage
-
-import (
-	"fmt"
-	"io/ioutil"
-	"os"
-	"sync"
-
-	"github.com/VictoriaMetrics/VictoriaMetrics/lib/bytesutil"
-	"github.com/VictoriaMetrics/VictoriaMetrics/lib/fs"
-	"github.com/VictoriaMetrics/VictoriaMetrics/lib/logger"
-	"github.com/VictoriaMetrics/VictoriaMetrics/lib/memory"
-	"github.com/VictoriaMetrics/VictoriaMetrics/lib/storage"
-	"github.com/VictoriaMetrics/metrics"
-)
-
-// InitTmpBlocksDir initializes directory to store temporary search results.
-//
-// It stores data in system-defined temporary directory if tmpDirPath is empty.
-func InitTmpBlocksDir(tmpDirPath string) {
-	if len(tmpDirPath) == 0 {
-		tmpDirPath = os.TempDir()
-	}
-	tmpBlocksDir = tmpDirPath + "/searchResults"
-	fs.MustRemoveAll(tmpBlocksDir)
-	if err := fs.MkdirAllIfNotExist(tmpBlocksDir); err != nil {
-		logger.Panicf("FATAL: cannot create %q: %s", tmpBlocksDir, err)
-	}
-}
-
-var tmpBlocksDir string
-
-func maxInmemoryTmpBlocksFile() int {
-	mem := memory.Allowed()
-	maxLen := mem / 1024
-	if maxLen < 64*1024 {
-		return 64 * 1024
-	}
-	if maxLen > 4*1024*1024 {
-		return 4 * 1024 * 1024
-	}
-	return maxLen
-}
-
-var _ = metrics.NewGauge(`vm_tmp_blocks_max_inmemory_file_size_bytes`, func() float64 {
-	return float64(maxInmemoryTmpBlocksFile())
-})
-
-type tmpBlocksFile struct {
-	buf []byte
-
-	f *os.File
-	r *fs.ReaderAt
-
-	offset uint64
-}
-
-func getTmpBlocksFile() *tmpBlocksFile {
-	v := tmpBlocksFilePool.Get()
-	if v == nil {
-		return &tmpBlocksFile{
-			buf: make([]byte, 0, maxInmemoryTmpBlocksFile()),
-		}
-	}
-	return v.(*tmpBlocksFile)
-}
-
-func putTmpBlocksFile(tbf *tmpBlocksFile) {
-	tbf.MustClose()
-	tbf.buf = tbf.buf[:0]
-	tbf.f = nil
-	tbf.r = nil
-	tbf.offset = 0
-	tmpBlocksFilePool.Put(tbf)
-}
-
-var tmpBlocksFilePool sync.Pool
-
-type tmpBlockAddr struct {
-	offset uint64
-	size   int
-}
-
-func (addr tmpBlockAddr) String() string {
-	return fmt.Sprintf("offset %d, size %d", addr.offset, addr.size)
-}
-
-var tmpBlocksFilesCreated = metrics.NewCounter(`vm_tmp_blocks_files_created_total`)
-
-// WriteBlockData writes b to tbf.
-//
-// It returns errors since the operation may fail on space shortage
-// and this must be handled.
-func (tbf *tmpBlocksFile) WriteBlockData(b []byte) (tmpBlockAddr, error) {
-	var addr tmpBlockAddr
-	addr.offset = tbf.offset
-	addr.size = len(b)
-	tbf.offset += uint64(addr.size)
-	if len(tbf.buf)+len(b) <= cap(tbf.buf) {
-		// Fast path - the data fits tbf.buf
-		tbf.buf = append(tbf.buf, b...)
-		return addr, nil
-	}
-
-	// Slow path: flush the data from tbf.buf to file.
-	if tbf.f == nil {
-		f, err := ioutil.TempFile(tmpBlocksDir, "")
-		if err != nil {
-			return addr, err
-		}
-		tbf.f = f
-		tmpBlocksFilesCreated.Inc()
-	}
-	_, err := tbf.f.Write(tbf.buf)
-	tbf.buf = append(tbf.buf[:0], b...)
-	if err != nil {
-		return addr, fmt.Errorf("cannot write block to %q: %s", tbf.f.Name(), err)
-	}
-	return addr, nil
-}
-
-func (tbf *tmpBlocksFile) Finalize() error {
-	if tbf.f == nil {
-		return nil
-	}
-	fname := tbf.f.Name()
-	if _, err := tbf.f.Write(tbf.buf); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("cannot write the remaining %d bytes to %q: %s", len(tbf.buf), fname, err)
-	}
-	tbf.buf = tbf.buf[:0]
-	r, err := fs.OpenReaderAt(fname)
-	if err != nil {
-		logger.Panicf("FATAL: cannot open %q: %s", fname, err)
-	}
-	// Hint the OS that the file is read almost sequentiallly.
-	// This should reduce the number of disk seeks, which is important
-	// for HDDs.
-	r.MustFadviseSequentialRead(true)
-	tbf.r = r
-	return nil
-}
-
-func (tbf *tmpBlocksFile) MustReadBlockAt(dst *storage.Block, addr tmpBlockAddr) {
-	var buf []byte
-	if tbf.f == nil {
-		buf = tbf.buf[addr.offset : addr.offset+uint64(addr.size)]
-	} else {
-		bb := tmpBufPool.Get()
-		defer tmpBufPool.Put(bb)
-		bb.B = bytesutil.Resize(bb.B, addr.size)
-		tbf.r.MustReadAt(bb.B, int64(addr.offset))
-		buf = bb.B
-	}
-	tail, err := storage.UnmarshalBlock(dst, buf)
-	if err != nil {
-		logger.Panicf("FATAL: cannot unmarshal data at %s: %s", addr, err)
-	}
-	if len(tail) > 0 {
-		logger.Panicf("FATAL: unexpected non-empty tail left after unmarshaling data at %s; len(tail)=%d", addr, len(tail))
-	}
-}
-
-var tmpBufPool bytesutil.ByteBufferPool
-
-func (tbf *tmpBlocksFile) MustClose() {
-	if tbf.f == nil {
-		return
-	}
-	if tbf.r != nil {
-		// tbf.r could be nil if Finalize wasn't called.
-		tbf.r.MustClose()
-	}
-	fname := tbf.f.Name()
-
-	// Remove the file at first, then close it.
-	// This way the OS shouldn't try to flush file contents to storage
-	// on close.
-	if err := os.Remove(fname); err != nil {
-		logger.Panicf("FATAL: cannot remove %q: %s", fname, err)
-	}
-	if err := tbf.f.Close(); err != nil {
-		logger.Panicf("FATAL: cannot close %q: %s", fname, err)
-	}
-	tbf.f = nil
-}
diff --git a/app/vmselect/netstorage/tmp_blocks_file_test.go b/app/vmselect/netstorage/tmp_blocks_file_test.go
deleted file mode 100644
index eba2292a9..000000000
--- a/app/vmselect/netstorage/tmp_blocks_file_test.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,153 +0,0 @@
-package netstorage
-
-import (
-	"fmt"
-	"math/rand"
-	"os"
-	"reflect"
-	"testing"
-	"time"
-
-	"github.com/VictoriaMetrics/VictoriaMetrics/lib/logger"
-	"github.com/VictoriaMetrics/VictoriaMetrics/lib/storage"
-)
-
-func TestMain(m *testing.M) {
-	rand.Seed(time.Now().UnixNano())
-	tmpDir := "TestTmpBlocks"
-	InitTmpBlocksDir(tmpDir)
-	statusCode := m.Run()
-	if err := os.RemoveAll(tmpDir); err != nil {
-		logger.Panicf("cannot remove %q: %s", tmpDir, err)
-	}
-	os.Exit(statusCode)
-}
-
-func TestTmpBlocksFileSerial(t *testing.T) {
-	if err := testTmpBlocksFile(); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("unexpected error: %s", err)
-	}
-}
-
-func TestTmpBlocksFileConcurrent(t *testing.T) {
-	concurrency := 3
-	ch := make(chan error, concurrency)
-	for i := 0; i < concurrency; i++ {
-		go func() {
-			ch <- testTmpBlocksFile()
-		}()
-	}
-	for i := 0; i < concurrency; i++ {
-		select {
-		case err := <-ch:
-			if err != nil {
-				t.Fatalf("unexpected error: %s", err)
-			}
-		case <-time.After(30 * time.Second):
-			t.Fatalf("timeout")
-		}
-	}
-}
-
-func testTmpBlocksFile() error {
-	createBlock := func() *storage.Block {
-		rowsCount := rand.Intn(8000) + 1
-		var timestamps, values []int64
-		ts := int64(rand.Intn(1023434))
-		for i := 0; i < rowsCount; i++ {
-			ts += int64(rand.Intn(1000) + 1)
-			timestamps = append(timestamps, ts)
-			values = append(values, int64(i*i+rand.Intn(20)))
-		}
-		tsid := &storage.TSID{
-			MetricID: 234211,
-		}
-		scale := int16(rand.Intn(123))
-		precisionBits := uint8(rand.Intn(63) + 1)
-		var b storage.Block
-		b.Init(tsid, timestamps, values, scale, precisionBits)
-		_, _, _ = b.MarshalData(0, 0)
-		return &b
-	}
-	for _, size := range []int{1024, 16 * 1024, maxInmemoryTmpBlocksFile() / 2, 2 * maxInmemoryTmpBlocksFile()} {
-		err := func() error {
-			tbf := getTmpBlocksFile()
-			defer putTmpBlocksFile(tbf)
-
-			// Write blocks until their summary size exceeds `size`.
-			var addrs []tmpBlockAddr
-			var blocks []*storage.Block
-			bb := tmpBufPool.Get()
-			defer tmpBufPool.Put(bb)
-			for tbf.offset < uint64(size) {
-				b := createBlock()
-				bb.B = storage.MarshalBlock(bb.B[:0], b)
-				addr, err := tbf.WriteBlockData(bb.B)
-				if err != nil {
-					return fmt.Errorf("cannot write block at offset %d: %s", tbf.offset, err)
-				}
-				if addr.offset+uint64(addr.size) != tbf.offset {
-					return fmt.Errorf("unexpected addr=%+v for offset %v", &addr, tbf.offset)
-				}
-				addrs = append(addrs, addr)
-				blocks = append(blocks, b)
-			}
-			if err := tbf.Finalize(); err != nil {
-				return fmt.Errorf("cannot finalize tbf: %s", err)
-			}
-
-			// Read blocks in parallel and verify them
-			concurrency := 2
-			workCh := make(chan int)
-			doneCh := make(chan error)
-			for i := 0; i < concurrency; i++ {
-				go func() {
-					doneCh <- func() error {
-						var b1 storage.Block
-						for idx := range workCh {
-							addr := addrs[idx]
-							b := blocks[idx]
-							if err := b.UnmarshalData(); err != nil {
-								return fmt.Errorf("cannot unmarshal data from the original block: %s", err)
-							}
-							b1.Reset()
-							tbf.MustReadBlockAt(&b1, addr)
-							if err := b1.UnmarshalData(); err != nil {
-								return fmt.Errorf("cannot unmarshal data from tbf: %s", err)
-							}
-							if b1.RowsCount() != b.RowsCount() {
-								return fmt.Errorf("unexpected number of rows in tbf block; got %d; want %d", b1.RowsCount(), b.RowsCount())
-							}
-							if !reflect.DeepEqual(b1.Timestamps(), b.Timestamps()) {
-								return fmt.Errorf("unexpected timestamps; got\n%v\nwant\n%v", b1.Timestamps(), b.Timestamps())
-							}
-							if !reflect.DeepEqual(b1.Values(), b.Values()) {
-								return fmt.Errorf("unexpected values; got\n%v\nwant\n%v", b1.Values(), b.Values())
-							}
-						}
-						return nil
-					}()
-				}()
-			}
-			for i := range addrs {
-				workCh <- i
-			}
-			close(workCh)
-			for i := 0; i < concurrency; i++ {
-				select {
-				case err := <-doneCh:
-					if err != nil {
-						return err
-					}
-				case <-time.After(time.Second):
-					return fmt.Errorf("timeout")
-				}
-			}
-			return nil
-		}()
-		if err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-	}
-	return nil
-}
diff --git a/lib/fs/fadvise_darwin.go b/lib/fs/fadvise_darwin.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 73cfe81a7..000000000
--- a/lib/fs/fadvise_darwin.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,10 +0,0 @@
-package fs
-
-import (
-	"os"
-)
-
-func fadviseSequentialRead(f *os.File, prefetch bool) error {
-	// TODO: implement this properly
-	return nil
-}
diff --git a/lib/fs/fadvise_unix.go b/lib/fs/fadvise_unix.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 21018796e..000000000
--- a/lib/fs/fadvise_unix.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,22 +0,0 @@
-// +build linux freebsd
-
-package fs
-
-import (
-	"fmt"
-	"os"
-
-	"golang.org/x/sys/unix"
-)
-
-func fadviseSequentialRead(f *os.File, prefetch bool) error {
-	fd := int(f.Fd())
-	mode := unix.FADV_SEQUENTIAL
-	if prefetch {
-		mode |= unix.FADV_WILLNEED
-	}
-	if err := unix.Fadvise(int(fd), 0, 0, mode); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("error returned from unix.Fadvise(%d): %s", mode, err)
-	}
-	return nil
-}
diff --git a/lib/fs/reader_at.go b/lib/fs/reader_at.go
index 26bf4df3f..23ceb91cb 100644
--- a/lib/fs/reader_at.go
+++ b/lib/fs/reader_at.go
@@ -67,15 +67,6 @@ func (r *ReaderAt) MustClose() {
 	readersCount.Dec()
 }
 
-// MustFadviseSequentialRead hints the OS that f is read mostly sequentially.
-//
-// if prefetch is set, then the OS is hinted to prefetch f data.
-func (r *ReaderAt) MustFadviseSequentialRead(prefetch bool) {
-	if err := fadviseSequentialRead(r.f, prefetch); err != nil {
-		logger.Panicf("FATAL: error in fadviseSequentialRead(%q, %v): %s", r.f.Name(), prefetch, err)
-	}
-}
-
 // OpenReaderAt opens ReaderAt for reading from filename.
 //
 // MustClose must be called on the returned ReaderAt when it is no longer needed.
@@ -94,7 +85,6 @@ func OpenReaderAt(path string) (*ReaderAt, error) {
 		}
 		r.mmapData = data
 	}
-	r.MustFadviseSequentialRead(false)
 	readersCount.Inc()
 	return &r, nil
 }
diff --git a/lib/storage/part_search.go b/lib/storage/part_search.go
index 03aa7ec7b..7e1d02150 100644
--- a/lib/storage/part_search.go
+++ b/lib/storage/part_search.go
@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@ import (
 // partSearch represents blocks stream for the given search args
 // passed to Init.
 type partSearch struct {
-	// Block contains the found block after NextBlock call.
-	Block Block
+	// BlockRef contains the reference to the found block after NextBlock call.
+	BlockRef BlockRef
 
 	// p is the part to search.
 	p *part
@@ -30,9 +30,6 @@ type partSearch struct {
 	// tr is a time range to search.
 	tr TimeRange
 
-	// Skip populating timestampsData and valuesData in Block if fetchData=false.
-	fetchData bool
-
 	metaindex []metaindexRow
 
 	ibCache *indexBlockCache
@@ -49,11 +46,10 @@ type partSearch struct {
 }
 
 func (ps *partSearch) reset() {
-	ps.Block.Reset()
+	ps.BlockRef.reset()
 	ps.p = nil
 	ps.tsids = nil
 	ps.tsidIdx = 0
-	ps.fetchData = true
 	ps.metaindex = nil
 	ps.ibCache = nil
 	ps.bhs = nil
@@ -74,7 +70,7 @@ var isInTest = func() bool {
 //
 // tsids must be sorted.
 // tsids cannot be modified after the Init call, since it is owned by ps.
-func (ps *partSearch) Init(p *part, tsids []TSID, tr TimeRange, fetchData bool) {
+func (ps *partSearch) Init(p *part, tsids []TSID, tr TimeRange) {
 	ps.reset()
 	ps.p = p
 
@@ -86,7 +82,6 @@ func (ps *partSearch) Init(p *part, tsids []TSID, tr TimeRange, fetchData bool)
 		ps.tsids = tsids
 	}
 	ps.tr = tr
-	ps.fetchData = fetchData
 	ps.metaindex = p.metaindex
 	ps.ibCache = p.ibCache
 
@@ -95,7 +90,7 @@ func (ps *partSearch) Init(p *part, tsids []TSID, tr TimeRange, fetchData bool)
 	ps.nextTSID()
 }
 
-// NextBlock advances to the next Block.
+// NextBlock advances to the next BlockRef.
 //
 // Returns true on success.
 //
@@ -130,7 +125,7 @@ func (ps *partSearch) nextTSID() bool {
 		ps.err = io.EOF
 		return false
 	}
-	ps.Block.bh.TSID = ps.tsids[ps.tsidIdx]
+	ps.BlockRef.bh.TSID = ps.tsids[ps.tsidIdx]
 	ps.tsidIdx++
 	return true
 }
@@ -139,20 +134,20 @@ func (ps *partSearch) nextBHS() bool {
 	for len(ps.metaindex) > 0 {
 		// Optimization: skip tsid values smaller than the minimum value
 		// from ps.metaindex.
-		for ps.Block.bh.TSID.Less(&ps.metaindex[0].TSID) {
+		for ps.BlockRef.bh.TSID.Less(&ps.metaindex[0].TSID) {
 			if !ps.nextTSID() {
 				return false
 			}
 		}
-		// Invariant: ps.Block.bh.TSID >= ps.metaindex[0].TSID
+		// Invariant: ps.BlockRef.bh.TSID >= ps.metaindex[0].TSID
 
-		ps.metaindex = skipSmallMetaindexRows(ps.metaindex, &ps.Block.bh.TSID)
-		// Invariant: len(ps.metaindex) > 0 && ps.Block.bh.TSID >= ps.metaindex[0].TSID
+		ps.metaindex = skipSmallMetaindexRows(ps.metaindex, &ps.BlockRef.bh.TSID)
+		// Invariant: len(ps.metaindex) > 0 && ps.BlockRef.bh.TSID >= ps.metaindex[0].TSID
 
 		mr := &ps.metaindex[0]
 		ps.metaindex = ps.metaindex[1:]
-		if ps.Block.bh.TSID.Less(&mr.TSID) {
-			logger.Panicf("BUG: invariant violation: ps.Block.bh.TSID cannot be smaller than mr.TSID; got %+v vs %+v", &ps.Block.bh.TSID, &mr.TSID)
+		if ps.BlockRef.bh.TSID.Less(&mr.TSID) {
+			logger.Panicf("BUG: invariant violation: ps.BlockRef.bh.TSID cannot be smaller than mr.TSID; got %+v vs %+v", &ps.BlockRef.bh.TSID, &mr.TSID)
 		}
 
 		if mr.MaxTimestamp < ps.tr.MinTimestamp {
@@ -165,7 +160,7 @@ func (ps *partSearch) nextBHS() bool {
 		}
 
 		// Found the index block which may contain the required data
-		// for the ps.Block.bh.TSID and the given timestamp range.
+		// for the ps.BlockRef.bh.TSID and the given timestamp range.
 		if ps.indexBlockReuse != nil {
 			putIndexBlock(ps.indexBlockReuse)
 			ps.indexBlockReuse = nil
@@ -249,15 +244,15 @@ func (ps *partSearch) searchBHS() bool {
 		bh := &ps.bhs[i]
 
 	nextTSID:
-		if bh.TSID.Less(&ps.Block.bh.TSID) {
+		if bh.TSID.Less(&ps.BlockRef.bh.TSID) {
 			// Skip blocks with small tsid values.
 			continue
 		}
 
-		// Invariant: ps.Block.bh.TSID <= bh.TSID
+		// Invariant: ps.BlockRef.bh.TSID <= bh.TSID
 
-		if bh.TSID.MetricID != ps.Block.bh.TSID.MetricID {
-			// ps.Block.bh.TSID < bh.TSID: no more blocks with the given tsid.
+		if bh.TSID.MetricID != ps.BlockRef.bh.TSID.MetricID {
+			// ps.BlockRef.bh.TSID < bh.TSID: no more blocks with the given tsid.
 			// Proceed to the next (bigger) tsid.
 			if !ps.nextTSID() {
 				return false
@@ -284,7 +279,7 @@ func (ps *partSearch) searchBHS() bool {
 
 		// Found the tsid block with the matching timestamp range.
 		// Read it.
-		ps.readBlock(bh)
+		ps.BlockRef.init(ps.p, bh)
 
 		ps.bhs = ps.bhs[i+1:]
 		return true
@@ -293,17 +288,3 @@ func (ps *partSearch) searchBHS() bool {
 	ps.bhs = nil
 	return false
 }
-
-func (ps *partSearch) readBlock(bh *blockHeader) {
-	ps.Block.Reset()
-	ps.Block.bh = *bh
-	if !ps.fetchData {
-		return
-	}
-
-	ps.Block.timestampsData = bytesutil.Resize(ps.Block.timestampsData[:0], int(bh.TimestampsBlockSize))
-	ps.p.timestampsFile.MustReadAt(ps.Block.timestampsData, int64(bh.TimestampsBlockOffset))
-
-	ps.Block.valuesData = bytesutil.Resize(ps.Block.valuesData[:0], int(bh.ValuesBlockSize))
-	ps.p.valuesFile.MustReadAt(ps.Block.valuesData, int64(bh.ValuesBlockOffset))
-}
diff --git a/lib/storage/part_search_test.go b/lib/storage/part_search_test.go
index 11166debf..d06d2ac01 100644
--- a/lib/storage/part_search_test.go
+++ b/lib/storage/part_search_test.go
@@ -1247,11 +1247,11 @@ func testPartSearch(t *testing.T, p *part, tsids []TSID, tr TimeRange, expectedR
 
 func testPartSearchSerial(p *part, tsids []TSID, tr TimeRange, expectedRawBlocks []rawBlock) error {
 	var ps partSearch
-	ps.Init(p, tsids, tr, true)
+	ps.Init(p, tsids, tr)
 	var bs []Block
 	for ps.NextBlock() {
 		var b Block
-		b.CopyFrom(&ps.Block)
+		ps.BlockRef.MustReadBlock(&b, true)
 		bs = append(bs, b)
 	}
 	if err := ps.Error(); err != nil {
diff --git a/lib/storage/partition_search.go b/lib/storage/partition_search.go
index 3e2ed4020..b7ceaa015 100644
--- a/lib/storage/partition_search.go
+++ b/lib/storage/partition_search.go
@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@ import (
 
 // partitionSearch represents a search in the partition.
 type partitionSearch struct {
-	// Block is the block found after NextBlock call.
-	Block *Block
+	// BlockRef is the block found after NextBlock call.
+	BlockRef *BlockRef
 
 	// pt is a partition to search.
 	pt *partition
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ type partitionSearch struct {
 }
 
 func (pts *partitionSearch) reset() {
-	pts.Block = nil
+	pts.BlockRef = nil
 	pts.pt = nil
 
 	for i := range pts.pws {
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ func (pts *partitionSearch) reset() {
 // tsids cannot be modified after the Init call, since it is owned by pts.
 //
 /// MustClose must be called when partition search is done.
-func (pts *partitionSearch) Init(pt *partition, tsids []TSID, tr TimeRange, fetchData bool) {
+func (pts *partitionSearch) Init(pt *partition, tsids []TSID, tr TimeRange) {
 	if pts.needClosing {
 		logger.Panicf("BUG: missing partitionSearch.MustClose call before the next call to Init")
 	}
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ func (pts *partitionSearch) Init(pt *partition, tsids []TSID, tr TimeRange, fetc
 	}
 	pts.psPool = pts.psPool[:len(pts.pws)]
 	for i, pw := range pts.pws {
-		pts.psPool[i].Init(pw.p, tsids, tr, fetchData)
+		pts.psPool[i].Init(pw.p, tsids, tr)
 	}
 
 	// Initialize the psHeap.
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ func (pts *partitionSearch) Init(pt *partition, tsids []TSID, tr TimeRange, fetc
 		return
 	}
 	heap.Init(&pts.psHeap)
-	pts.Block = &pts.psHeap[0].Block
+	pts.BlockRef = &pts.psHeap[0].BlockRef
 	pts.nextBlockNoop = true
 }
 
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ func (pts *partitionSearch) nextBlock() error {
 	psMin := pts.psHeap[0]
 	if psMin.NextBlock() {
 		heap.Fix(&pts.psHeap, 0)
-		pts.Block = &pts.psHeap[0].Block
+		pts.BlockRef = &pts.psHeap[0].BlockRef
 		return nil
 	}
 
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ func (pts *partitionSearch) nextBlock() error {
 		return io.EOF
 	}
 
-	pts.Block = &pts.psHeap[0].Block
+	pts.BlockRef = &pts.psHeap[0].BlockRef
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ func (psh *partSearchHeap) Len() int {
 
 func (psh *partSearchHeap) Less(i, j int) bool {
 	x := *psh
-	return x[i].Block.bh.Less(&x[j].Block.bh)
+	return x[i].BlockRef.bh.Less(&x[j].BlockRef.bh)
 }
 
 func (psh *partSearchHeap) Swap(i, j int) {
diff --git a/lib/storage/partition_search_test.go b/lib/storage/partition_search_test.go
index 7f8b515b8..fd997600e 100644
--- a/lib/storage/partition_search_test.go
+++ b/lib/storage/partition_search_test.go
@@ -240,10 +240,10 @@ func testPartitionSearchSerial(pt *partition, tsids []TSID, tr TimeRange, rbsExp
 
 	bs := []Block{}
 	var pts partitionSearch
-	pts.Init(pt, tsids, tr, true)
+	pts.Init(pt, tsids, tr)
 	for pts.NextBlock() {
 		var b Block
-		b.CopyFrom(pts.Block)
+		pts.BlockRef.MustReadBlock(&b, true)
 		bs = append(bs, b)
 	}
 	if err := pts.Error(); err != nil {
@@ -265,18 +265,9 @@ func testPartitionSearchSerial(pt *partition, tsids []TSID, tr TimeRange, rbsExp
 	}
 
 	// verify that empty tsids returns empty result
-	pts.Init(pt, []TSID{}, tr, true)
+	pts.Init(pt, []TSID{}, tr)
 	if pts.NextBlock() {
-		return fmt.Errorf("unexpected block got for an empty tsids list: %+v", pts.Block)
-	}
-	if err := pts.Error(); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("unexpected error on empty tsids list: %s", err)
-	}
-	pts.MustClose()
-
-	pts.Init(pt, []TSID{}, tr, false)
-	if pts.NextBlock() {
-		return fmt.Errorf("unexpected block got for an empty tsids list: %+v", pts.Block)
+		return fmt.Errorf("unexpected block got for an empty tsids list: %+v", pts.BlockRef)
 	}
 	if err := pts.Error(); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("unexpected error on empty tsids list: %s", err)
diff --git a/lib/storage/search.go b/lib/storage/search.go
index 831818686..500608b8f 100644
--- a/lib/storage/search.go
+++ b/lib/storage/search.go
@@ -9,77 +9,55 @@ import (
 	"github.com/VictoriaMetrics/VictoriaMetrics/lib/logger"
 )
 
-// MetricBlock is a time series block for a single metric.
-type MetricBlock struct {
+// BlockRef references a Block.
+//
+// BlockRef is valid only until the corresponding Search is valid,
+// i.e. it becomes invalid after Search.MustClose is called.
+type BlockRef struct {
+	p  *part
+	bh blockHeader
+}
+
+func (br *BlockRef) reset() {
+	br.p = nil
+	br.bh = blockHeader{}
+}
+
+func (br *BlockRef) init(p *part, bh *blockHeader) {
+	br.p = p
+	br.bh = *bh
+}
+
+// MustReadBlock reads block from br to dst.
+//
+// if fetchData is false, then only block header is read, otherwise all the data is read.
+func (br *BlockRef) MustReadBlock(dst *Block, fetchData bool) {
+	dst.Reset()
+	dst.bh = br.bh
+	if !fetchData {
+		return
+	}
+
+	dst.timestampsData = bytesutil.Resize(dst.timestampsData[:0], int(br.bh.TimestampsBlockSize))
+	br.p.timestampsFile.MustReadAt(dst.timestampsData, int64(br.bh.TimestampsBlockOffset))
+
+	dst.valuesData = bytesutil.Resize(dst.valuesData[:0], int(br.bh.ValuesBlockSize))
+	br.p.valuesFile.MustReadAt(dst.valuesData, int64(br.bh.ValuesBlockOffset))
+}
+
+// MetricBlockRef contains reference to time series block for a single metric.
+type MetricBlockRef struct {
+	// The metric name
 	MetricName []byte
 
-	Block *Block
-}
-
-// Marshal marshals MetricBlock to dst
-func (mb *MetricBlock) Marshal(dst []byte) []byte {
-	dst = encoding.MarshalBytes(dst, mb.MetricName)
-	return MarshalBlock(dst, mb.Block)
-}
-
-// MarshalBlock marshals b to dst.
-//
-// b.MarshalData must be called on b before calling MarshalBlock.
-func MarshalBlock(dst []byte, b *Block) []byte {
-	dst = b.bh.Marshal(dst)
-	dst = encoding.MarshalBytes(dst, b.timestampsData)
-	dst = encoding.MarshalBytes(dst, b.valuesData)
-	return dst
-}
-
-// Unmarshal unmarshals MetricBlock from src
-func (mb *MetricBlock) Unmarshal(src []byte) ([]byte, error) {
-	if mb.Block == nil {
-		logger.Panicf("BUG: MetricBlock.Block must be non-nil when calling Unmarshal!")
-	} else {
-		mb.Block.Reset()
-	}
-	tail, mn, err := encoding.UnmarshalBytes(src)
-	if err != nil {
-		return tail, fmt.Errorf("cannot unmarshal MetricName: %s", err)
-	}
-	mb.MetricName = append(mb.MetricName[:0], mn...)
-	src = tail
-
-	return UnmarshalBlock(mb.Block, src)
-}
-
-// UnmarshalBlock unmarshal Block from src to dst.
-//
-// dst.UnmarshalData isn't called on the block.
-func UnmarshalBlock(dst *Block, src []byte) ([]byte, error) {
-	tail, err := dst.bh.Unmarshal(src)
-	if err != nil {
-		return tail, fmt.Errorf("cannot unmarshal blockHeader: %s", err)
-	}
-	src = tail
-
-	tail, tds, err := encoding.UnmarshalBytes(src)
-	if err != nil {
-		return tail, fmt.Errorf("cannot unmarshal timestampsData: %s", err)
-	}
-	dst.timestampsData = append(dst.timestampsData[:0], tds...)
-	src = tail
-
-	tail, vd, err := encoding.UnmarshalBytes(src)
-	if err != nil {
-		return tail, fmt.Errorf("cannot unmarshal valuesData: %s", err)
-	}
-	dst.valuesData = append(dst.valuesData[:0], vd...)
-	src = tail
-
-	return src, nil
+	// The block reference. Call BlockRef.MustReadBlock in order to obtain the block.
+	BlockRef *BlockRef
 }
 
 // Search is a search for time series.
 type Search struct {
-	// MetricBlock is updated with each Search.NextMetricBlock call.
-	MetricBlock MetricBlock
+	// MetricBlockRef is updated with each Search.NextMetricBlock call.
+	MetricBlockRef MetricBlockRef
 
 	storage *Storage
 
@@ -91,8 +69,8 @@ type Search struct {
 }
 
 func (s *Search) reset() {
-	s.MetricBlock.MetricName = s.MetricBlock.MetricName[:0]
-	s.MetricBlock.Block = nil
+	s.MetricBlockRef.MetricName = s.MetricBlockRef.MetricName[:0]
+	s.MetricBlockRef.BlockRef = nil
 
 	s.storage = nil
 	s.ts.reset()
@@ -103,7 +81,7 @@ func (s *Search) reset() {
 // Init initializes s from the given storage, tfss and tr.
 //
 // MustClose must be called when the search is done.
-func (s *Search) Init(storage *Storage, tfss []*TagFilters, tr TimeRange, fetchData bool, maxMetrics int) {
+func (s *Search) Init(storage *Storage, tfss []*TagFilters, tr TimeRange, maxMetrics int) {
 	if s.needClosing {
 		logger.Panicf("BUG: missing MustClose call before the next call to Init")
 	}
@@ -118,7 +96,7 @@ func (s *Search) Init(storage *Storage, tfss []*TagFilters, tr TimeRange, fetchD
 	// It is ok to call Init on error from storage.searchTSIDs.
 	// Init must be called before returning because it will fail
 	// on Seach.MustClose otherwise.
-	s.ts.Init(storage.tb, tsids, tr, fetchData)
+	s.ts.Init(storage.tb, tsids, tr)
 
 	if err != nil {
 		s.err = err
@@ -145,15 +123,15 @@ func (s *Search) Error() error {
 	return s.err
 }
 
-// NextMetricBlock proceeds to the next MetricBlock.
+// NextMetricBlock proceeds to the next MetricBlockRef.
 func (s *Search) NextMetricBlock() bool {
 	if s.err != nil {
 		return false
 	}
 	for s.ts.NextBlock() {
-		tsid := &s.ts.Block.bh.TSID
+		tsid := &s.ts.BlockRef.bh.TSID
 		var err error
-		s.MetricBlock.MetricName, err = s.storage.searchMetricName(s.MetricBlock.MetricName[:0], tsid.MetricID)
+		s.MetricBlockRef.MetricName, err = s.storage.searchMetricName(s.MetricBlockRef.MetricName[:0], tsid.MetricID)
 		if err != nil {
 			if err == io.EOF {
 				// Skip missing metricName for tsid.MetricID.
@@ -163,7 +141,7 @@ func (s *Search) NextMetricBlock() bool {
 			s.err = err
 			return false
 		}
-		s.MetricBlock.Block = s.ts.Block
+		s.MetricBlockRef.BlockRef = s.ts.BlockRef
 		return true
 	}
 	if err := s.ts.Error(); err != nil {
diff --git a/lib/storage/search_test.go b/lib/storage/search_test.go
index 6500907cc..d5f6feb2e 100644
--- a/lib/storage/search_test.go
+++ b/lib/storage/search_test.go
@@ -208,15 +208,20 @@ func testSearchInternal(st *Storage, tr TimeRange, mrs []MetricRow, accountsCoun
 			expectedMrs = append(expectedMrs, *mr)
 		}
 
+		type metricBlock struct {
+			MetricName []byte
+			Block      *Block
+		}
+
 		// Search
-		s.Init(st, []*TagFilters{tfs}, tr, true, 1e5)
-		var mbs []MetricBlock
+		s.Init(st, []*TagFilters{tfs}, tr, 1e5)
+		var mbs []metricBlock
 		for s.NextMetricBlock() {
 			var b Block
-			b.CopyFrom(s.MetricBlock.Block)
+			s.MetricBlockRef.BlockRef.MustReadBlock(&b, true)
 
-			var mb MetricBlock
-			mb.MetricName = append(mb.MetricName, s.MetricBlock.MetricName...)
+			var mb metricBlock
+			mb.MetricName = append(mb.MetricName, s.MetricBlockRef.MetricName...)
 			mb.Block = &b
 			mbs = append(mbs, mb)
 		}
diff --git a/lib/storage/storage_test.go b/lib/storage/storage_test.go
index 75ecacb23..8cd44faa1 100644
--- a/lib/storage/storage_test.go
+++ b/lib/storage/storage_test.go
@@ -583,24 +583,13 @@ func testStorageDeleteMetrics(s *Storage, workerNum int) error {
 		MaxTimestamp: 2e10,
 	}
 	metricBlocksCount := func(tfs *TagFilters) int {
-		// Verify the number of blocks with fetchData=true
+		// Verify the number of blocks
 		n := 0
-		sr.Init(s, []*TagFilters{tfs}, tr, true, 1e5)
+		sr.Init(s, []*TagFilters{tfs}, tr, 1e5)
 		for sr.NextMetricBlock() {
 			n++
 		}
 		sr.MustClose()
-
-		// Make sure the number of blocks with fetchData=false is the same.
-		m := 0
-		sr.Init(s, []*TagFilters{tfs}, tr, false, 1e5)
-		for sr.NextMetricBlock() {
-			m++
-		}
-		sr.MustClose()
-		if n != m {
-			return -1
-		}
 		return n
 	}
 	for i := 0; i < metricsCount; i++ {
diff --git a/lib/storage/table_search.go b/lib/storage/table_search.go
index 1f4f4ca56..b82ff9011 100644
--- a/lib/storage/table_search.go
+++ b/lib/storage/table_search.go
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ import (
 
 // tableSearch performs searches in the table.
 type tableSearch struct {
-	Block *Block
+	BlockRef *BlockRef
 
 	tb *table
 
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ type tableSearch struct {
 }
 
 func (ts *tableSearch) reset() {
-	ts.Block = nil
+	ts.BlockRef = nil
 	ts.tb = nil
 
 	for i := range ts.ptws {
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ func (ts *tableSearch) reset() {
 // tsids cannot be modified after the Init call, since it is owned by ts.
 //
 // MustClose must be called then the tableSearch is done.
-func (ts *tableSearch) Init(tb *table, tsids []TSID, tr TimeRange, fetchData bool) {
+func (ts *tableSearch) Init(tb *table, tsids []TSID, tr TimeRange) {
 	if ts.needClosing {
 		logger.Panicf("BUG: missing MustClose call before the next call to Init")
 	}
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ func (ts *tableSearch) Init(tb *table, tsids []TSID, tr TimeRange, fetchData boo
 	}
 	ts.ptsPool = ts.ptsPool[:len(ts.ptws)]
 	for i, ptw := range ts.ptws {
-		ts.ptsPool[i].Init(ptw.pt, tsids, tr, fetchData)
+		ts.ptsPool[i].Init(ptw.pt, tsids, tr)
 	}
 
 	// Initialize the ptsHeap.
@@ -115,13 +115,13 @@ func (ts *tableSearch) Init(tb *table, tsids []TSID, tr TimeRange, fetchData boo
 		return
 	}
 	heap.Init(&ts.ptsHeap)
-	ts.Block = ts.ptsHeap[0].Block
+	ts.BlockRef = ts.ptsHeap[0].BlockRef
 	ts.nextBlockNoop = true
 }
 
 // NextBlock advances to the next block.
 //
-// The blocks are sorted by (TDIS, MinTimestamp). Two subsequent blocks
+// The blocks are sorted by (TSID, MinTimestamp). Two subsequent blocks
 // for the same TSID may contain overlapped time ranges.
 func (ts *tableSearch) NextBlock() bool {
 	if ts.err != nil {
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ func (ts *tableSearch) nextBlock() error {
 	ptsMin := ts.ptsHeap[0]
 	if ptsMin.NextBlock() {
 		heap.Fix(&ts.ptsHeap, 0)
-		ts.Block = ts.ptsHeap[0].Block
+		ts.BlockRef = ts.ptsHeap[0].BlockRef
 		return nil
 	}
 
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ func (ts *tableSearch) nextBlock() error {
 		return io.EOF
 	}
 
-	ts.Block = ts.ptsHeap[0].Block
+	ts.BlockRef = ts.ptsHeap[0].BlockRef
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ func (ptsh *partitionSearchHeap) Len() int {
 
 func (ptsh *partitionSearchHeap) Less(i, j int) bool {
 	x := *ptsh
-	return x[i].Block.bh.Less(&x[j].Block.bh)
+	return x[i].BlockRef.bh.Less(&x[j].BlockRef.bh)
 }
 
 func (ptsh *partitionSearchHeap) Swap(i, j int) {
diff --git a/lib/storage/table_search_test.go b/lib/storage/table_search_test.go
index 6c75a1a08..c821b5e93 100644
--- a/lib/storage/table_search_test.go
+++ b/lib/storage/table_search_test.go
@@ -251,10 +251,10 @@ func testTableSearchSerial(tb *table, tsids []TSID, tr TimeRange, rbsExpected []
 
 	bs := []Block{}
 	var ts tableSearch
-	ts.Init(tb, tsids, tr, true)
+	ts.Init(tb, tsids, tr)
 	for ts.NextBlock() {
 		var b Block
-		b.CopyFrom(ts.Block)
+		ts.BlockRef.MustReadBlock(&b, true)
 		bs = append(bs, b)
 	}
 	if err := ts.Error(); err != nil {
@@ -276,23 +276,14 @@ func testTableSearchSerial(tb *table, tsids []TSID, tr TimeRange, rbsExpected []
 	}
 
 	// verify that empty tsids returns empty result
-	ts.Init(tb, []TSID{}, tr, true)
+	ts.Init(tb, []TSID{}, tr)
 	if ts.NextBlock() {
-		return fmt.Errorf("unexpected block got for an empty tsids list: %+v", ts.Block)
+		return fmt.Errorf("unexpected block got for an empty tsids list: %+v", ts.BlockRef)
 	}
 	if err := ts.Error(); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("unexpected error on empty tsids list: %s", err)
 	}
 	ts.MustClose()
 
-	ts.Init(tb, []TSID{}, tr, false)
-	if ts.NextBlock() {
-		return fmt.Errorf("unexpected block got for an empty tsids list with fetchData=false: %+v", ts.Block)
-	}
-	if err := ts.Error(); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("unexpected error on empty tsids list with fetchData=false: %s", err)
-	}
-	ts.MustClose()
-
 	return nil
 }
diff --git a/lib/storage/table_search_timing_test.go b/lib/storage/table_search_timing_test.go
index df9af44f4..fe4d8c8df 100644
--- a/lib/storage/table_search_timing_test.go
+++ b/lib/storage/table_search_timing_test.go
@@ -127,12 +127,14 @@ func benchmarkTableSearch(b *testing.B, rowsCount, tsidsCount, tsidsSearch int,
 	b.RunParallel(func(pb *testing.PB) {
 		var ts tableSearch
 		tsids := make([]TSID, tsidsSearch)
+		var tmpBlock Block
 		for pb.Next() {
 			for i := range tsids {
 				tsids[i].MetricID = 1 + uint64(i)
 			}
-			ts.Init(tb, tsids, tr, fetchData)
+			ts.Init(tb, tsids, tr)
 			for ts.NextBlock() {
+				ts.BlockRef.MustReadBlock(&tmpBlock, fetchData)
 			}
 			ts.MustClose()
 		}