Official: Fire that left man, son homeless is ‘suspicious’

Published Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009 | 10:29 a.m.

Updated Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009 | 12:28 p.m.

Mobile home fire

A 45-year-old man and his 20-year-old son lost their home and belongings in a Henderson mobile home fire Wednesday evening. Fire investigators this afternoon say the blaze is suspicious.

About 7:51 p.m. Wednesday, Henderson firefighters arrived at 2050 Magic Way, space 220, near Wagon Wheel Drive and Boulder Highway, responding to reports of a mobile home fire.

The first fire department engine arrived and found a single-wide mobile home engulfed in flames, said Battalion Chief Jeff Lytle.

The man, his son and two teenagers were outside the trailer and fire crews began pouring water on the trailer, Lytle said. Firefighters then made their way inside as the blaze was doused.

There were no injuries to firefighters or civilians.

The mobile home had extensive fire, smoke and water damage, but neighboring trailers were protected and none were damaged, Lytle said. The cause of the fire is under investigation, and investigators are looking at everything from arson to accidental causes, Lytle said.

"The fire is suspicious. It could be arson," he said.

Estimated property damage was $25,000 with an additional $5,000 of personal property lost, according to Katherine Hooper, spokeswoman for the Henderson Fire Department.

A total of 27 Henderson Fire Department staff members responded to the fire, including four engines, one ladder truck, two paramedic rescues, two chief officers and a fire investigator. A city of Henderson building inspector was also notified.

Representatives from NV Energy and Southwest Gas Company secured utilities to the home. The Nevada branch of the American Red Cross responded to offer services to the displaced family. They do have relatives living in the area, Lytle said.

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By maybevegas

Sept. 10, 2009

12:34 p.m.

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One mobile home requires 27 personnel? These guys are way underpaid!
By reagan21

Sept. 10, 2009

12:47 p.m.

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When a mobile home in a mobile ome park is on fire there is a very good cahance there will be mass spreading of the fire. That's why more personnel was sent out.
By JerryWayne

Sept. 10, 2009

4:11 p.m.

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those mobile homes must be packed in pretty tight.
By Det__Munch

Sept. 10, 2009

8:54 p.m.

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Jerry
Not any closer than most homes. Depends on the park. Usually there is at least 10-12ft between homes-same as houses out here in most areas. Some of the older mobile homes are fire traps. The newer ones are built following the same codes as houses and with better materials then the old o nes. My parents livedin one of the newer ones and it was built according to very strict codes for the State they lived in. My guess in Nevada, the building codes are probably not as strict.
By theone1

Sept. 11, 2009

5:57 p.m.

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This is bad, however, if this had occured in North Las Vegas, the racists that visit this site would've been all over this. I guess no part of town is immune from bad people.