Juveniles spark two house fires
Pahrump Valley Fire Rescue Services responded to two house fires this weekend that were both allegedly started by juveniles playing with flammable materials.
On Saturday PVFRS was called to respond to a home in the 600 block of Beatty Avenue for a report of a structure fire.
When firefighters arrived, they discovered heavy fire conditions that extended to multiple structures across the property.
Fire Chief Scott Lewis said high wind speeds were a critical factor in the spread of the fire that afternoon causing the blaze to consume a double-wide manufactured home, three vehicles, a travel trailer and two sheds on the property.
The family also allegedly waited to call 911 to report the fire for approximately 10 minutes as they attempted to put the flames out themselves, which also may have contributed to the spread of the fire.
Upon further investigation, Lewis said the fire was believed to have been started by a juvenile playing with fireworks near the back of the house.
One juvenile was ultimately transported to the local hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation following the incident, but there were no other injuries to report.
On Sunday PVFRS were called upon again to respond to a second structure fire, this time in the 200 block of Duck Creek.
“Upon our arrival it was a double-wide manufactured dwelling with heavy fire showing. Crews mounted an interior attack, quickly controlled the forward progress of the fire and protected the nearby exposure structures,” Lewis said. “This fire was also at the hands of a juvenile. Further investigation showed it was started by a juvenile that was playing with a lighter in one of the bedrooms.”
High wind speeds also played a part in the spread of this fire as well, but luckily there were no injuries to report from the incident.
