House fire victim taken to Minneapolis burn center

Three other people managed to escape the fire without injuries. The fire remains investigation.


One person was injured in this house fire near Grover, S.D. (Courtsey Photo)

One person was taken to the Hennepin Burn Cener in Minneapolis following a fire in a house about 13 miles west of Watertown near Grover.
Watertown Fire Rescue was called to the house fire at 44570 177th Street just after 11:30 a.m. Saturday. The initial emergency call said there were four people in the home. When WFR crews arrived, three of the people had gotten out of the house, but one was still inside.
Watertown firefighters immediately entered the home and located the person on the second floor. The person was taken out a bedroom window and down a ladder. The person was treated in an ambulance for smoke inhalation and then taken to Prairie Lakes Healthcare System and later transferred to the Hennepin Burn Center.
Watertown crews attacked the fire with assistance from the Hazel and Hayti fire departments. They were able to extinguish the fire after about four hours. The other family members were examined, but they refused to be taken to the hospital. There were no other injuries reported.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. Approximately 15,000 gallons were shuttled to the fire to help firefighters. WFR thanked the Hazel and Hayti crews for their assistance with hauling water.
The Codington County Sherriff’s Office also assisted with the fire.