Updated at 9:45 a.m. Dec. 23
BROOKINGS – A Brookings man was transported to Brookings Health System for treatment of first-degree burns to his back that were incurred while escaping from a burning mobile home late Tuesday night.
“This individual was minutes away from more serious injury or death,” Brookings Fire Chief Pete Bolzer said. “A working, inexpensive, battery-powered smoke alarm saved this man’s life.”
Brookings Fire Department units responded to the mobile home fire located at 521 12th St. S. at 11:53 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21.
“The first arriving unit reported that approximately 75% of the dwelling was involved with flames 30 feet high shooting through the roof,” Bolzer said.
An aggressive defensive fire attack limited damage to the structure of origin, which was a total loss. There was no damage to adjacent property. Three engines and 16 firefighters were on scene until 3:59 am.
The American Red Cross is assisting the victims of the fire. Also responding were the Brookings Police Department, Brookings Ambulance, Brookings Municipal Utilities, and Northwestern Energy.
The Brookings County Youth Mentoring Program and Central Bank in Brookings are accepting donations of gently used and new clothing, non-perishable grocery items and other materials for family members displaced by the fire.
Sizes of items sought include:
• Two girls: Size 1 (women’s jeans); medium adults
• Girl: Size 14 (kids); 14/16 shirts
• Boy: Size 12
• Two girls: Size 8/10
• Boy: Size 7/8
• Adult women’s size medium; women’s pants: 3
A trailer is available at Best Choice Real Estate for the community to drop off donations for the family, and a donation box is also located in front of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, 706 Main Ave. S., to the north of the Pheasant.
A Go Fund Me account to benefit the family has been set up at https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-my-student-after-a-home-fire?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer.
