Red Cross responds to string of home fires

By Journal staff | Wednesday, December 03, 2008

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Families in Eagle Butte, Rapid City and Wanblee are the latest in a string of home fire victims receiving assistance from the Red Cross.

In Eagle Butte, on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation, a man is in custody, suspected of breaking into an apartment and setting fire to contents on Thanksgiving Day. The fire extensively damaged one room in the apartment and destroyed most of family's belongings, according to tribal police investigators.

The occupants were not home at the time. A mother and her four children, ages 10, 8, 6 and 2, are homeless and receiving help from the Black Hills Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. Others in the apartment complex were allowed to return home, Police Chief Burton In The Woods said.

The case remains under investigation, with evidence sent to the state crime laboratory in Pierre. In The Woods said it was department policy not to identify the detained suspect at this point in an investigation.

In Wanblee, it was hard enough being without power for several days during the blizzard, but now, the Victor Iron Horse family is without a home.

On Saturday morning, fire destroyed the home of six, including children ages 4, 7, and 9. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The Iron Horses are staying with relatives and working to find permanent replacement housing. Officials with the Red Cross said the Rapid City-based relief group is helping the family.

The early Saturday fire that damaged the home of Kim Rosse on Meade Street in Rapid City brings light to cautionary signs when dealing with home fires, Red Cross officials said.

In a news release, they said Rosse related how events started with a blown fuse, which turned off his computer monitor. Replacement fuses also blew, but it wasn't until he took his dog outside that he noticed smoke coming from the attic.

Emergency crews responded to his call and contained the fire to the attic. However, smoke and water damaged the kitchen and living room.

Until he can return home, Rosse is staying with family and friends and receiving Red Cross assistance.

The Black Hills Area Chapter of the American Red Cross is a nonprofit organization. Donations and volunteers help the relief agency to serve western South Dakota in times of need. For information about how to help, call 342-4010.