Fire Destroys 4 Businesses in Busy South Dakota Town

Four downtown businesses in a small southwestern South Dakota community have been lost in a fire, according to the city’s mayor.

The Vault restaurant, China Buffet, the Quilt Shop and an ice cream shop were burned in the massive fire in Hot Springs, Mayor George Kotti said.

Officials said the fire began in the Vault restaurant about 8:30 p.m. Firefighters from area communities provided mutual aid and kept the fire from spreading further and igniting propane tanks in the rear of the businesses.

Kotti says some apartments attached to the Quilt Shop also burned, but no one was injured in the blaze. The businesses with sandstone facades are in the city’s historic district.

“I did talk to one of the business owners and he plans to rebuild. I think that epitomizes the way we want to face this,” Kotti said.

Hot Springs has a population of about 3,700 and is about 57 miles south of Rapid City.