In Rapid City, South Dakota, two people were discovered dead inside a camper in the 1400 block of Fountain Plaza Drive on a Monday morning around 9:25 a.m. Rapid City police responded to a report of two unresponsive individuals, and medical personnel confirmed the deaths upon arrival, noting a strong smell of exhaust fumes inside the enclosed space. The scene included a propane heater and a gas generator, with preliminary findings pointing to carbon monoxide toxicity as the likely cause of death.
Following the incident, the Rapid City Fire Department (RCFD) issued safety tips to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Firefighter and paramedic Ethan Esposti stressed maintaining a three-foot safety zone around portable heating sources to reduce fire risks and keep children away, using carbon monoxide detectors in enclosed areas, never leaving heaters running unattended, and avoiding starting vehicles in garages—instead warming them up outside. He also highlighted early symptoms like dizziness, nausea, lightheadedness, and vomiting, urging immediate evacuation and calling 911 if any signs appear.