Man dies in Ranchos house fire

An explosion and house fire rocked a quiet Gardnerville Ranchos neighborhood at about 9:30 p.m. Monday, taking the life of one man at 1191 Manhattan Way.

Initial reports indicate there were two or three explosions and the 1,400-square-foot home was engulfed in fire when East Fork Fire and Paramedic District units arrived, according to Tod Carlini, district fire chief.

Fire conditions and structural failure due to the blast made entry into the structure impossible for first crews on the scene, he said in a written statement.

The fire was contained about 45 minutes after firefighters' arrival.

One man was found dead in the home, Carlini said.

County records indicate the property is owned by Robert Kellogg, but the identity of the victim was not released.

"The deceased was the only subject in the home," said Douglas County Sheriff's Office spokesman Sgt. Tom Mezetta. "The home was the only structure damaged by the explosion and subsequent fire."

The residence experienced extensive damage from both the blast and resulting fire, Carlini said.

Thirty-three East Fork Fire and Paramedic District personnel responded to the blaze with six engine companies, one truck company, one squad company, two rescue ambulances, two command units and two incident safety officer units.

The fire is under investigation by the East Fork Fire & Paramedic District's fire investigation division and the Douglas County Sheriffs Office.

More information will be provided as it becomes available, Carlini said.

• Contract reporter Susie Vasquez at svasquez@recordcourier.com or 782-5121, ext. 211.