Rockerville structure fire

On Nov. 21, the Rockerville Volunteer Fire Department responded to a report of a structure fire, at 8955         South Highway 16, rural Rockerville, unincorporated Pennington County South Dakota,                       commercially known as “Reptile Gardens.” Upon arrival firefighters observed an active fire in a detached agriculture shelter with heavy fire and smoke conditions extending into the ceiling and roof assembly. Rapid attack by firefighters contained the fire to the structure of origin, stopping the spread of the flames to nearby natural vegetation, infrastructure and other improvements. No injuries to firefighters, civilians, were reported.  As of the time of this release, an undetermined          number of tortoises and alligators perished. Agencies responding: Pennington County 911, Rockerville Volunteer Fire Department, Hill City Volunteer Fire Department, Whispering Pines Volunteer Fire Department, Rapid City Fire Department and Ambulance Service, Battle Creek Fire Department, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Pennington County Emergency Management, Black Hill Energy, Montana Dakota Utilities, South Dakota Fire Marshalls Office. Photos courtesy of the Rockerville Volunteer Fire Department.