LAKE NORDEN — A blaze has destroyed the fire department in Lake Norden. 

No one was injured or killed in the fire that erupted Wednesday at the Lake Norden Fire Department, Hamlin County Sheriff Chad Schlotterbeck said in a phone call, but the conflagration destroyed the building and the equipment housed within it. To make matters even worse, the building also home to the community’s ambulances and police office.

Two ambulances and five firefighting vehicles were destroyed, Lake Norden Mayor Jason Aho said in a phone conversation Wednesday afternoon.

Multiple firefighting agencies responded to the blaze, according to information on Facebook page for the sheriff’s office, including fire departments from Lake Norden, Estelline, Hayti, Badger, Castlewood and Bryant. Other responding agencies were the sheriff’s office, Hamlin County Emergency Management, South Dakota Highway Patrol and Codington County Search and Rescue.

The sheriff’s office — whose Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/hamlinsheriff — wrote that the cause of the fire is being investigated by the South Dakota Fire Marshal’s Office.

In the meantime, two trailers have been borrowed to serve as temporary quarters for Lake Norden’s police department and ambulance services, Aho noted. He added that it’s hoped ambulance services will be fully restored within a few days or a week at most. 

Aho said people seeking to aid the community’s recovery process can call First Premier Bank in Lake Norden at 605-785-3666.

The South Dakota Firefighters Association has also  started a process for people wishing to lend a hand. According to the Facebook page for the association, “We are gathering information on department needs. This is a slow process for the department to develop a recovery plan.”

The association wrote that equipment donations or loans can be directed to Ron Hines @ VPres@sdfirefighters.org. Their page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/sdfirefighters.

“We will compile a list of items offered and pass it on to the department. The outpouring of support and assistance is greatly appreciated,” the association wrote.

— Contact Mondell Keck at mkeck@brookingsregister.com.