Brad Horn/Nevada Appeal Carson City firefighters work to contain a house fire at 1351 S. Sutro Terrace on Monday morning.
A fire on South Sutro Terrace in North Carson City claimed the life of a family pet and destroyed the garage and a portion of the kitchen Monday morning.
Battalion Chief Richard Chrzanowski said the fire appears to have started in the garage on the east side of the brick home, built on an acre of land overlooking Carson City.
"I heard the sound of breaking glass, and when I went out to look, I saw the garage door had fallen," said neighbor Mary Santori.
Santori said, at first glance she didn't see any smoke. It was only when she went back inside then heard "all this poppin'," that she looked out again and saw flames.
"They were just going like crazy," she said.
Chrzanowski said the popping was likely ammunition exploding in the heat.
Crews were able to contain the majority of the fire damage to the single-car garage. But the roof was heavily damaged over the kitchen, and what wasn't destroyed by flames was likely affected by water and smoke.
A vehicle in the garage was also destroyed.
Owner Crystal Larson was not home at the time of the fire, but at least one of the three dogs neighbors reported she owns was found dead inside the building.
Neighbor Jim Rud said he was putting air in his tires when he looked over and saw smoke "pouring out of everywhere. It was even coming out of the vents on this side," he said, pointing to the home's west end.
Chrzanowski said the cause is under investigation.
• Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.