Seven Fire Departments Battle Large Structure Fire Near Brookings

Northeast Radio SD News - Brookings, SD - A multi-agency response prevented a residential fire from spreading to nearby homes Monday afternoon. On March 2, 2026, at approximately 3:57 p.m., Brookings 911 Dispatch alerted first responders to a structure fire at 3026 Sunnyview Drive, located just north of Brookings.

The fire broke out in a large metal pole-barn style building at the rear of the property owned by David and Kristina Bauer. The structure was being used as a shop and garage and contained several vehicles at the time of the blaze.

The scale of the fire required an extensive team effort. Fire crews from seven departments worked the scene for over 3.5 hours, fighting the flames and conducting overhaul operations. Thanks to their coordinated efforts, the fire was successfully contained to the pole barn, and no other buildings on the property sustained damage.

Responding Fire Departments included:

·        Brookings Fire Department

·        Aurora Fire Department

·        Volga Fire Department

·        Bruce Fire Department

·        Elkton Fire Department

·        Sinai Fire Department

·        Arlington Fire Department

Authorities reported no injuries to either civilians or the responding firefighters.

The cause of the fire is currently unknown. It remains under investigation by the Brookings Fire Department, the South Dakota State Fire Marshal, and the Brookings County Sheriff’s Office. Assisting at the scene were the Brookings Police Department and Brookings Ambulance.