Two Fires in Rural Milbank

At 3:53 a.m. on Monday, April 2, the Milbank Fire and Rescue a Department was dispatched to the home of Dennis and Arlene Fonder at 14241 479th Avenue.

Upon arrival, the rescue team found fire in the attached garage of the home. Fire Chief Kevin Schuelke said, “The fire was in the garage and the homeowner had kept the garage doors closed which prevented the fire from spreading. Firefighters entered the garage and extinguished the blaze.”

The fire was contained in the garage, but caused damage to the adjoining wall of the basement. The house sustained heavy smoke damage, but minimum water damage.

Firefighters were on the scene for approximately one and a half hours. The Big Stone Fire Department was also dispatched as a precaution. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Later Monday night, the fire and rescue squad was dispatched at 11:45 p.m. to a fire at Dakota Granite at 48391 450th Street. Upon arrival, the firefighters found a steel and wood shed in the rear of the building on fire. Firefighters opened the roof and siding to extinguish the blaze.

The fire originated in a pressure washer contained in a room. According to Schuelke, firefighters were able to prevent the fire from spreading to the rest of building. The main portion of the building sustained little damage. Firefighters were on the scene until 2 a.m.