Cathleen Allison/Nevada Appeal Carson City Fire and Sheriff's investigators have determined an early morning fire at the Evergreen Center was arson. Several businesses in the complex were closed for about five hours while investigators worked.
A fire at a Carson City business complex early Thursday morning was arson, an investigator said.
Carson City Sheriff's Detective Craig Lowe said it appears someone entered Suite 156 of Evergreen Center on North Carson Street and started a fire inside the office of the complex's owner, Nick Galajatos.
"It was arson," said Galajatos. "This town is getting bad."
Firefighters were called to the building about 5:15 a.m. on a report of smoke. After searching several of the businesses, crews discovered a couch and other items of furniture on fire in the leasing office. The culprit likely entered through the front door that had inadvertently been left unlocked, Lowe said.
He said tenants in the building reported a transient was upset after he'd been asked to leave the parking lot on Friday where he'd been sleeping in his van.
Deputies spent the morning searching for man who they eventually located at a Carson City temp agency.
Lowe said the man denied any involvement.
Crime scene investigators collected evidence from the office, and about three businesses were prevented from opening until the investigation was completed.
The west end of the building was cordoned off for about five hours while investigators scoured the premises for clues.
There were no reported injuries.
Anyone with information on the fire is asked to call Carson City Sheriff's detective division at 887-2020 ext. 1400.
• Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.