RCFD Responds to Fire on East Kansas City Street

Fire is the second structure fire in 12 hours for RCFD

Rapid City, S.D. - For the second time in 12 hours, the Rapid City Fire Department doused a structure fire in Rapid City. At 6:27 pm, firefighters from Stations 1, 4 and 7 responded to a report of smoke coming from a structure at 12 E. Kansas City Street. When crews arrived on scene three minutes later, they found light smoke coming from a single family dwelling.

When firefighters made access inside the structure they found a fire in the kitchen that had extended into nearby cabinetry and into the ceiling and attic. It took firefighters about 15 minutes to stop the forward progress of the fire. Because of the extension into the ceiling, firefighters completed an extensive overhaul operation to ensure that all hidden fire was located and extinguished. The last RCFD unit left the scene at about 8:30 pm.  

The occupants of the residence were not home at the time of the fire. Two animals were outside when firefighters arrived. Firefighters and Animal Control officers provided care and shelter for the animals until the occupants of the home arrived at the scene. 

There were no injuries reported to firefighters or civilians. 

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

This evenings fire marks the second structure fire in 12 hours for the RCFD. While the cause of both fires remain under investigation, the RCFD will take the opportunity to remind the public that statistics from the National Fire Protection Administration show that structure fires peak during the winter months. Cooking and heating equipment continue to be leading causes of fires. Fires caused by cooking and heating equipment also account for 39% of civilian home fire deaths and 57% of civilian home fire injuries.

Tips for preventing cooking fires can be found at https://bit.ly/2QVZhPI.

Tips for preventing heating fires can be found at https://bit.ly/2P87qD1.

For questions or comment related to this release, please contact Lt. Jim Bussell, Public Information Officer for the Rapid City Fire Department at 605-394-4180.

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RCFD Units Responding: Truck 1, Squad 1, Engine 7, Engine 4, Medic 4, Battalion 1, Public Information Officer

Other Agencies Responding; Pennington County Fire Administration, Rapid City Police Department, city of Rapid City Water Department, Montana Dakota Utilities, Black Hills Energy, Animal Control and Enforcement