Reptile Gardens fire

The Rockerville Volunteer Fire Department responded to a report of a structure fire at  8955 S. Hwy. 16, rural Rockerville, unincorporated Pennington County, 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 and civilians were reported. As of the time of this release, an undetermined number of tortoises and alligators perished. Responding to the fire were 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 and South Dakota Fire Marshalls Office.