A fire that was possibly sparked by a lightning strike or combustible materials spread through six storage units off Highway 50 East on Wednesday afternoon.
The Added Storage unit fire was reported at about 4 p.m. and contained in less than 45 minutes. The fire burned furniture, boxes and other materials stored inside the 10-by-20-foot units.
"It started in one unit and spread to the others," said Carson City Fire Chief Stacey Giomi. "We'll be here several hours cleaning up."
He said the fire could've been caused by a lightning strike from a Tuesday storm then smoldered overnight, finally flaring up inside the units on Wednesday. About 17 firefighters from Carson City, Douglas and Lyon counties assisted in extinguishing the fire.
The fire broke out about an hour before a severe thunderstorm warning was issued by the National Weather Service for east Carson City. The storm watch was in effect until 6 p.m.
The 6300 Highway 50 East business, owned by Jeff Kyle, barely escaped the Linehan fire that consumed more than 5,800 acres east of Carson City in late June.
Manager Sandy Quezada said a friend noticed the fire and called her.
"I thought, was there lightning? There wasn't anything left to burn out here," she said.
Quezada said she or the owner will be contacting those who rent units within that section.
• Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.