The Rockerville Volunteer Fire Department responded to a structure fire at Reptile Gardens, located after being dispatched around 12:40 am.
Firefighters arrived to find heavy flames and smoke in a detached agricultural shelter. A rapid attack contained the blaze to the building of origin, preventing it from spreading to nearby vegetation and infrastructure.
No injuries to civilians or firefighters were reported. However, officials confirmed that an undetermined number of tortoises and alligators died in the fire.
The cause remains under investigation. Rapid City Fire, Battle Creek Fire, Whispering Pines Fire, Hill City Fire, Pennington County Fire Admin, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Pennington County 911, MDU, Black Hills Electric Coop, and the State Fire Marshal’s Office assisted in the repsonse.
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