South Dakota Firefighter Killed in House Fire

April 13, 2015
Valley Springs Firefighter Steven Ackerman was found in the basement.

A South Dakota firefighter was killed Sunday night while battling a house fire in Brandon. 

Valley Springs Firefighter Steven Ackerman, 38, was found in the basement hours after crews arrived.

Heavy smoke was coming from the garage when crews first arrived at 10:10 p.m., Brandon Police Chief Dave Kull told the Argus Leader.

David Smith, 47, the homeowner was pulled from the house and died at the hospital. 

At 10:41 p.m., firefighters were ordered to exit the home and at 11:01 p.m., Ackerman was reported missing.

"We switched over to a rescue effort for one of our own. In an instant, it changed our operation," Brandon Fire Chief Gary Lembcke said.

His body was located about 1:30 a.m. in the basement.

Crews stabilized the structure and around 10 a.m. Ackerman's body was removed from the structure. 

It was place in an ambulance and escorted by fire vehicles to the coroner's office

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