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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