Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Silver Springs fire ruled accidental

The fire took the life of 3-year-old Samantha Heicksen mother to a Las Vegas hospital.

Katherine Metcalfe, 23, was in stable condition in the burn unit at University Hospital.

She received severe burns to her head, feet, hands and legs, apparently as she tried to pull her daughter from the blaze.

Her sons, aged four and six, escaped from the fire with minor injuries and are staying with family in Reno.

A sheriff's investigator in Silver Springs said the sheriff's office has decided not to be more specific about the cause of the fire.

The report on the investigation by Deputy State Fire Marshal Dennis Ely has not been completed.

The mobile home was partially engulfed when fire and sheriff's officials arrived Wednesday morning and learned the girl was still inside.

Donations to the Katherine Metcalfe Trust Fund can be made to any Norwest Bank or to Carson-Tahoe Hospital's human resources department.

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