Vehicle vs
Building Results in Fire
No injuries reported
after afternoon crash and fire
Rapid City, S.D. – Rapid City Firefighters battled a
wind driven, natural gas fed fire at an East Rapid City grocery store earlier
this afternoon. Just before 2:30 pm, firefighters from three Rapid City Fire
Department stations responded to a report of a vehicle that hit the back of
Fresh Start Neighborhood Market near the intersection of Elk Vale Road and
Homestead Street. The vehicle was reported to be on fire. An additional alarm
was struck and firefighters from the Rapid Valley Fire Department as well as an
additional Rapid City Fire Department engine company were dispatched to the
scene.
 |
| Above: A car on a trailer that became dislodged from the
vehicle pulling it burns at the rear of the Fresh Start Neighborhood Market
near the intersection of Elk Vale Road and Homestead Street. |
A trailer hauling a passenger car broke away from the
pick-up that was pulling it, rolled down hill and into the back of the business.
The collision resulted in serious damage to an electrical junction box. The collision caused the vehicle to catch fire. The resulting fire damaged the gas meter on the back of the building. That damage resulted in free flowing natural gas which accelerated the fire. Smoke that was being pushed by sustained winds approaching 40 miles
per hour began to fill the store as well as the adjoining liquor store and
casino. Patrons and employees quickly evacuated the building. No one was
injured as a result of the crash or during the evacuation.
Firefighters arriving on scene found heavy smoke conditions
inside the store as well as outside of the building. They were able to stop
fire from progressing into the building and were able to use large volumes of
water to continue to cool the building and the surrounding area until the flow
of natural gas could be stopped.
 |
| Above: Firefighters work to extinguish a vehicle fire and cool the
area around a broken natural gas line at the rear of the Fresh Start
Neighborhood Market near the intersection of Elk Vale Road and Homestead
Street. |
Because of the fire and the damage to the meter, Montana
Dakota Utilities was forced to dig underground and clamp the gas line feeding
the store in an area to the south of the building. This also resulted in a
temporary disruption of service to nearby Black Hills Federal Credit Union.
Once the flow of gas was stopped, firefighters were able to quickly extinguish
the fire and mop up remaining hot spots. Once the store was ventilated, it was
discovered no fire had extended inside the store. The store, however, did
receive some smoke and water damage as a result of the incident.
 |
| Above: Montana Dakota Utilities crew work to locate and
access a natural gas line to help Rapid City Firefighters extinguish a natural
gas fed fire at Fresh Start Neighborhood Market near the intersection of Elk
Vale Road and Homestead Street. |
Strong winds, with gusts over 50 miles per hour, hampered
firefighting efforts. The wind, in addition to pushing smoke and fire toward
the building, made application of water difficult and limited the use of RCFD
aerial apparatus. Because of the strong winds, the 100-foot ladder of one
apparatus could only be deployed at a low angle on the leeward side of the
building.
 |
| Above: Firefighters from RCFD Truck Company 3 ladder the roof
of the Fresh Start Neighborhood Market near the intersection of Elk Vale Road
and Homestead Street to check for fire extension into the roof after a crash
and fire late this afternoon. |
All road closures and traffic restrictions were lifted at
about 5:00 pm local time. Rapid City Firefighters remained on scene until about
5:30 pm.
In addition to the Rapid Valley Fire Department, the Rapid
City Fire Department was assisted by Montana Dakota Utilities as well as West
River Electric, the Whispering Pines Fire Department, the Rapid City Police
Department, the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, the Pennington County Fire
Administrator and an additional Public Information Officer from the Battle
Creek Fire Department. The Rapid City Fire Department would also like to thank
the employees of Fresh Start Neighborhood Market and Black Hills Federal Credit
Union for their cooperation and patience during the incident.
There were no reported injuries to civilians or fire service
personnel during the incident.
The cause and circumstances surrounding the crash are under
investigation by the Rapid City Police Department.
For questions or comment related to this release, please
contact Lt. Jim Bussell, Public Information Officer for the RCFD, at 605-394-4180.
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