CUSTER, S.D. — On Monday at 1:39 p.m., the Custer Volunteer Fire Department responded to a report of a structure fire in the 2500 block of Lower French Road in Custer County.
Firefighters from a multi-country area arrived to a free-burning fire in the interior of an occupied single story residential structure with a moderate to heavy smoke condition. The fire extended to the exterior and roof assembly of the structure and immediately struck a second alarm.
Some of the obstacles that the firefighters faced included limited visibility due to blowing snow, icy roads packed with snow, temperatures of 0 degrees Fahrenheit, freezing hose lines and lack of an on-scene water supply. This forced the firefighters to haul water to the incident in tenders.
The firefighters were able to successfully contain the fire to the structure of origin which stopped the spread of the flames to nearby structures, infrastructure and other improvements.
Occupants were assisted afterwards by the American Red Cross Serving Central and Western South Dakota and the Black Hills Fire Chaplains Association.
There were no reports of injuries to the firefighters, civilians or domestic animals.
