Firefighters from Two Counties Respond to a Multiple Alarm Structure Fire

   The Silver City Volunteer Fire Department responded to a report of a fire in a commercial structure in the 2200 block of US Highway 385, Unincorporated, Pennington County, SD at 10:46 p.m. on Dec. 13, 2023.

   First arriving volunteer firefighters found a free burning fire, with a heavy smoke condition and fire extending to the exterior and roof assembly of a commercial structure, and immediately struck a    second alarm, eventually the fire went to multiple alarms.

   Volunteer firefighters from a two-county area, facing freezing temperatures, lack of a pressurized water system, narrow winding gravel roads, and darkness, contained the fire to the structure of origin, preventing the spread of the flames to nearby residences, infrastructure and other improvements.

   There were no reports of injuries to firefighters, civilians or domestic animals.

   Agencies responding included Pennington County 911, Lawrence County 911, Silver City Volunteer Fire Department, Johnson Siding Volunteer Fire Department, Pennington County Emergency Management, Lawrence County Emergency Management, Pennington County Sheriff’s Department, Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department, Doty Volunteer Fire Department, Rochford Volunteer Fire Department, Nemo Volunteer Fire Department, Brownsville Volunteer Fire Department, Pennington County Highway Department, Monument Health Deadwood: Ambulance Service,  Deadwood Volunteer Fire Department, Lead Volunteer Fire Department, Whispering Pines Volunteer Fire Department, Black Hills Electrical Cooperative  and the    South Dakota Fire Marshal’s Office.

   Photo courtesy of Silver City Volunteer Fire Department.