Sioux Falls structure fire leaves roughly 20 people displaced

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - Sioux Falls fire crews were called to the area of W. 43rd Street and S. Larch Avenue for a structure fire Thursday morning.

The fire broke out at an apartment complex around 6:05 am, which led to one person jumping from the 3rd floor of the building.

Due to the building being an occupied 3-story apartment building, the incident was upgraded to a 2nd Alarm for additional resources, officials say. Crews quickly rescued all residents still in the building including those residents trapped and exiting through windows. The fire was contained to one apartment, but heat and smoke damage extended beyond the apartment of origin. All occupants were rescued and the fire was extinguished in approximately 10 minutes.

Two civilians were transported to the hospital for injuries, with the extent unknown at this time. There were no firefighter injuries reported. Fire crews were also able to save several ducks that were in the apartment.

Battalion Chief, Robert Dykstra says roughly 20 people were displaced and two people were transported to the hospital. The extent of their injuries remains unknown.

The apartment building did not have a sprinkler system, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Sioux Falls Fire Rescue responded with 8 fire trucks, 1 support apparatus, 1 command vehicle, 29 firefighters, 1 Battalion Chief, and 1 Fire Investigator. Sioux Falls Fire Rescue was assisted by Metro Communications, Sioux Falls Police Department, PCEMS Ambulance, MidAmerican Energy, X-cel Energy, and Red Cross.

Sioux Falls Fire Rescue would like to remind everyone to have working smoke detectors, a Fire Escape Plan, and the importance of sleeping with bedroom doors closed.

For more information from Sioux Falls Fire Rescue, visit www.SiouxFalls.Org/Fire or follow us on FaceBook.com/SiouxFallsFire and Twitter.com/SiouxFallsFire