By Kelci Parks

A Pahrump family was displaced from its home on Saturday after a structure fire broke out in a detached garage. The parents, as well as their two sons, ages 8 and 11, and their 2-year-old daughter, lost all their possessions.

The fire began in a large two-story garage building on Jeane Avenue, spread to two vehicles, and made it to the main residence, a mobile home.

Attentive neighbors called 911 after hearing a loud explosion and seeing the resulting fire. Pahrump Valley Fire and Rescue Service was dispatched to the address on Jeane Avenue on Saturday afternoon. Within about 20 minutes, the flames were under control.

“The two-story detached garage/workshop and the two vehicles were involved on our arrival and it had already extended to the single-wide manufactured dwelling. We halted it there though,” said Pahrump Valley Fire and Rescue Chief Scott Lewis.

Although firefighters stopped the blaze before the entire residence was consumed, the home remains unlivable.

“It got the side of the single-wide that was facing the building of origin,” said Lewis. “About 15-20 minutes after arrival, it was under control but they had to overhaul it because there were a lot of hidden spaces, a lot of personal equipment throughout the area that had to be totally extinguished,” he continued.

The exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

Donations for the family are being taken at Pahrump Party Supply and can be dropped off anytime between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

“We’re going to have to completely restock a kitchen, bathrooms, you know, an entire house,” said Lisa Holleman, of Pahrump Party Supply. “Anything from spices to cups to dishes to pots and pans, those are things that people don’t often think about. Towels, linens, sheets, we have three single beds that were donated and a queen-sized bed for the parents, but we need linens,” she said.

Just days after the disaster, the community had already donated clothing and school supplies for the three children.

“Well, clothes-wise they’re in really good shape. We’ve gotten a lot of clothes for them,” said Holleman. “The parents could still use some clothing donations, however.” Holleman says they’re collecting size 36-30 or 36-32 pants, men’s size large shirts, and women’s size 16 clothes.

“We’re doing great on school supplies too,” continued Holleman. “But toys, you know, these kids don’t have any toys now. I know the boys really like Legos and Mario. And the little one, you know, people can bring in typical 2-year-old little girl stuff.”

The Red Cross was called and gave the family a credit card with $250 on it, used toward temporary lodging at Saddle West. It appears there is a silver lining to this tragedy, however. The family has been offered the ability to rent a large home for a fraction of its usual price.

“We found them a house to live in and the landlord is being phenomenal,” said Holleman. “It’s a huge house that normally rents for $1,000 a month and he’s giving it to them for the same $400 that they’re used to paying. And it’s just beautiful,” she said. The family is expected to move into their new home today.

Among one of the most valued assets that was lost is the family’s mode of transportation. The father was employed in Las Vegas, but no longer has a vehicle to get there. Holleman says they’re working on that problem right now.

“We need some tools for the dad, and the vehicle is the big thing; he’s got to get into Vegas to get back to work. And you can just tell that he’s a hard worker. This family is just a nice, decent, good family,” she said.

Anything that the family cannot use, or any duplicate donations, will be given to the Salvation Army. In the coming days a bank account will be set up at 1st International Bank to take monetary donations. For more information, or to donate, contact Pahrump Party Supply.