SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — Authorities say a house fire in western Sioux Falls has claimed a life.
The fire broke out around 11:45 p.m. Monday at a two-story single-home at 5717 West 15th Street.
Authorities are reporting that one person was killed and another was hurt in the fire. They were both adults. A pet also died in the fire.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The complete news release from SFFR is below:
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At 11:50 p.m. Monday evening, December 2nd, 2019, Metro Communications received a report of a fire at 5717 W. 15th St. Fire, police, and EMS units were dispatched. A Sioux Falls Police officer was first on scene and reported flames from the house. Initial reports were that multiple people may still be inside the home.
The first arriving unit from Sioux Falls Fire Rescue (SFFR) found a two story single family home that had heavy fire coming from the back side of the home. Bystanders reported an occupant and pet trapped on the second floor.
The first arriving crew made entry through the front door and attempted to make their way up the stairs but were driven back by heavy flames. Crews then attempted to make entry onto the second floor via a back deck and ladders.
Conditions deteriorated rapidly and pushed crews off the ladders and deck. Additional crews arrived and helped establish suppression efforts. This allowed a three-person team to make entry onto the second floor. The crew was then pulled off of the second floor by the on-scene commander due to heavy fire venting from that floor of the structure. Separate crews were able to perform initial searches of the basement and first floor to look for additional occupants before being pulled from the structure. Two occupants were able to exit the structure prior to SFFR’s arrival. One of the occupants was transported to the hospital for injuries due the fire. The extent of the injuries is not known at this time.
Fire crews were able to knock down the main body of the fire from the exterior of the home and then re-enter to search the second floor. The crews located a victim and deceased pet on the second floor. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Sioux Falls Police Department, Patient Care EMS, and Sioux Falls Fire Chaplain assisted family members and responders. There was one report of a minor injury to a first responder.
Fire crews worked for three hours to completely extinguish the fire and clear the structure. There was extensive damage to the second floor that required patching of the floor to safely begin fire investigation. At the time of this press release the cause and origin investigation of the fire is still underway. Crews will be on scene through the day on Tuesday.
SFFR responded with 8 fire trucks, 5 support vehicles, and 36 personnel. SFFR was assisted on scene by Metro Communications, Sioux Falls Police Department, Patient Care EMS Ambulance, Med-Star Ambulance, Mid-American Energy and Xcel Energy.
