Early Morning Vehicle Fire Near Watertown Residence Quickly Contained
- Steve Jurrens
- 8 hours ago
- 1 min read
Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - Local emergency crews responded to a vehicle fire early Thursday morning, successfully preventing flames from spreading to a nearby home.
At approximately 6:45 a.m. on February 5, 2026, Watertown Fire Rescue (WFR) was dispatched to the 1700 block of 16th Ave SE following reports of a vehicle on fire. Upon arrival at 1715 16th Ave SE, firefighters discovered an SUV with active smoke and flames venting from the engine compartment.
The SUV was parked in close proximity to a residence, posing a potential risk of fire extension to the structure. However, the quick action of WFR crews ensured the blaze was confined strictly to the vehicle.
To combat the fire, personnel from Engine 4 utilized a rotary saw to gain access to the sealed engine compartment before deploying a hose line to knock down the flames.
“Crews remained on scene for approximately 30 minutes completing extinguishment, overhaul, and ensuring no fire extension,” WFR stated in an official release.
No injuries were reported, and the nearby residence sustained no damage. Watertown Fire Rescue was assisted on the scene by the Watertown Police Department, which helped manage the area while crews worked to clear the hazard.
The cause of the fire has not yet been released.
