String of Suspicious Fires Cause Damage in Rapid City, S.D.

The Rapid City, S.D., Fire Department said it responded to five overnight fires in less than seven hours, including four that are considered suspicious and occurred in the same area.

The department said the fires were set in trash cans, dumpsters or shipping containers. The first fire was reported at 11:30 p.m. on Dec. 5 in a commercial dumpster at the South Dakota State University College of Nursing, according to the release.

Tim Rangitsch, who owns Acme Bicycles, told the Rapid City Journal someone lit his garbage can on fire and moved it next to the garage, which caught on fire. The blaze destroyed his family’s garage, a vehicle, bicycles, skis, snowshoes and other outdoor gear. He estimates damage to be up to $100,000.

“It’s just scary. I don’t feel targeted or anything, but how reckless is this individual or individuals,” Rangitsch said. “They’re going to eventually kill somebody.”

Rangitsch said there have been fires in the area for weeks, not just the string of overnight blazes.

Police officers will be conducting extra patrols in the area and are encouraging residents to report suspicious behavior, the release said.