One killed in Christmas Eve structure fire near downtown Sioux Falls

SIOUX FALLS — One person was found dead early Saturday morning during a fire near downtown Sioux Falls, officials announced.

At approximately 2:45 a.m., Sioux Falls Fire Rescue was dispatched to the 400 block of North Nesmith Avenue, roughly two blocks east of the Sixth Street Bridge in downtown Sioux Falls, for a report of a fire.

Upon arrival, fire crews located a back yard storage shed engulfed in flames. No adjacent buildings were threatened by the fire.

While extinguishing the blaze, first responders discovered a deceased individual. Sioux Falls Fire Rescue and the Sioux Falls Police Department did not release any additional information surrounding the death, including the individual's gender or approximate age. It remains unclear if the body was discovered inside or outside the burning structure.

Temperatures in Sioux Falls during the response were approximately nine-below with winds of roughly 7-10 mph. In all, 15 firefighters, one battalion chief and one investigator responded to the fire.

As fire investigators work to determine the origin and cause of the fire, the Sioux Falls Police Department is investigating the death.