The Vermillion Fire EMS Department responded to a fire at 607 Cottage St. on Oct. 20 at 4:39 p.m.
The first units to arrive on the scene saw heavy smoke and flames coming from the back of the home. Everyone in the home was evacuated without injury.
The Vermillion Department was aided in controlling the fire by neighboring fire and EMS departments including Gayville, Wakonda, Yankton and Elk Point. With help from these other fire departments, the firefighters were able to extinguish the flames in the roofline and interior walls, however the house still sustained major damage.
In the attempts to stop the fire, no civilians were injured, one emergency personnel received minor injuries and two pets perished in the fire.
The American Red Cross assisted the family of four displaced by the fire and helped them find somewhere to stay.
The fire departments were on the scene for a total of three hours and 18 minutes. This included 30 personnel from the Vermillion Fire EMS Department, eight personnel from the Gayville Fire Department, six personnel from the Wakonda Fire Department, three personnel from the Elk Point Fire Department, eight personnel from the Yankton Fire Department as well as members of the Vermillion Light and Power, Vermillion Water, Vermillion Police and Clay County Sheriff’s Department.
The cause of this fire still remains under investigation as of a press release made by the Vermillion Fire EMS Department on Oct. 21. Check our Twitter @TheVolante for updates as we receive them.
