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WAGNER, S.D. — Residents at the Good Samaritan Society in Wagner were evacuated Tuesday due to a fire at the facility.
The Wagner Fire Department responded to the call at 10:50 a.m. reporting that smoke was coming from the roof of the Good Samaritan Society. Upon arrival on the scene it was reported that there was an active fire on the roof of the southwest wing of the building, according to an email from the Wagner Fire Department.
Firefighters launched an "aggressive attack" of the fire and contained the the flames to that section of the building. That prevented the fire from spreading to any other portions of the structure.
All residents and employees were safely evacuated from the building with no injuries reported among them.
A post on the Wagner Fire Department Facebook page said that fire departments from Dante, Ravinia and Lake Andes also responded to the call, while the Charles Mix and Douglas County emergency management offices assisted with traffic and resource organization, along with personal from the Charles Mix Sheriff’s Office.
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The department also praised local ambulance crews for their assistance.
“(The Wagner Fire Department) would like to send a huge shout out and thank you to Dante, Ravinia and Lake Andes Fire Departments for their assistance at today’s fire and Wagner/Lake Andes Ambulance for staying on scene for our safety,” the department wrote on its Facebook page. “Charles Mix and Douglas County Emergency Management, and Charles Mix County Sheriffs for assistance with traffic and organizing all resources.”
Staff members at the facility, along with staff from the local schools, and police department all contributed to getting the residents out safely.
“Wagner Good Samaritan staff, Wagner Community School Staff and Wagner Police Department for quick response in evacuating all the residents and keeping them all safe. We would also like to thank all the businesses and community members that donated food and water for all the first responders,” the department wrote.
The Wagner Fire Department was on scene until about 2:30 p.m. that afternoon, the email said.
The cause of the fire is as of yet undetermined, and is under investigation by the South Dakota Fire Marshal's Office.
The Good Samaritan Society provides rehabilitation therapy and long-term care for residents at its facility in Wagner, according to the organization’s website.
