Avera Building Downtown Catches Fire, Staff Evacuated

Sioux Falls Fire Rescue responded to a roof on fire at the Avera building downtown at 11 street and Second Avenue just before midnight Friday March 18, 2016.  The building is the former Midland National Life building with the reflective glass siding near the Main Post Office.

People at a neighboring business discovered the fire and called 911.

Fire crews accessed the roof with ladders and had the fire out in 20 minutes on the four story building. Other fire crews entered the structure and evacuated approximately forty employees who were working inside the building.

Crews remained at the scene overnight extinguishing small fire flare ups and protecting sensitive equipment from water damage.

There were no injuries.

The roof of the building suffered moderate damage from the fire and the fourth floor had light smoke and water damage. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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