Tag Archives: South Dakota

Adult Care/Rehab Center, Hospital/Care Facility

Rapid City, SD – Sprinklers help contain arson fire at detox center

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No one was hurt in a fire at a detox center in Rapid City that prompted the evacuation of more than 50 people and the arrest of a client.

Authorities responded to the City/County Alcohol and Drug Program facility shortly before noon Wednesday. The building’s sprinkler system had helped contain the fire, and it was confined to a small area.

Thirty-six clients and 15 staff members were evacuated for a time.
Police determined that a client had set the fire in an isolation room. The suspect was taken into custody pending formal charges.

Apartment Building, Residential

Early morning apartment fire put out by sprinkler system (Sioux Falls, SD)

Sioux Falls Fire Rescue responded to a structure fire at this three-story business and apartment building in downtown Sioux Falls around 4:30 a.m. Sunday. Firefighters said the fire started in a kitchen on the third floor apartment, but the sprinkler system quickly kicked in and put out the fire, containing the small amount of damage to the one apartment kitchen. All of the tenants were able to safely exit the building.

Hotel / Motel, Hotel / Restaurant

Sprinkler system assists firefighters at hotel fire (Sioux Falls, SD)

Firefighters responded to a fire at a hotel at 9:30 on Thursday, July 17. The three-story hotel’s fire began in a clothes dryer in the hotel’s first floor. The hotel’s occupants evacuated safely while the sprinkler system went off and kept the fire from spreading further. The fire was put out within 10 minutes. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Primary / Secondary School, School / University

High school gymnasium fire controlled by sprinkler head (Rapid City, SD)

In the early morning hours of July 18, 2013 RCFD responded to a fire alarm at St. Thomas More High School. First arriving Engine Company reported smoke and water coming from one of the Gym doors. A fire had started just inside the door where remnants from the gym floor refinishing were being stored. A lone sprinkler head activated as it was designed and held the fire to that area, reducing the potential for fire loss to the school.

Apartment Building, Residential

Apartment balcony fire extinguished by sprinkler (Rapid City, SD)

A single sprinkler extinguished a balcony fire at the Stoney Creek Apartments in Rapid City on Wednesday evening.  The fire originated in or around a small trash receptacle on the balcony.  It began to spread up the exterior siding until the sprinkler activated and put the fire out.

Lieutenant Brent Long with Rapid City Fire Department said the presence of the sprinkler system proved to be invaluable with its quick extinguishment of the fire. The 1 sprinkler head that activated saved what could have turned in a great deal of damage to the property, and potential for having to relocate the tenants.