Bodie Flat family loses home in Monday blaze

The second fire in two days claimed a Bodie Flat home at about 10 p.m. Monday.

The fire started near the front porch of a mobile home at 461 Apache Court owned by David Gomez.

Chante Martinez, 26, was home with the three Gomez children when she discovered the fire.

"She became aware of smoke in the front living room area," East Fork Fire Investigator Terry Taylor said. "She got the kids out of the house and over to family in the house next door."

Taylor said winds in Bodie Flat were gusting to 35 mph, but that the fire did not spread to nearby brush.

"We might have had some spotting, but there was nothing serious," he said. "In August, it would still be burning to town. We added brush trucks because hot brands were flying off the house. The winds drove the flames easily 30 feet above the roof."

The home burned to the ground and the contents were destroyed.

Taylor said Gomez, a carpenter, had done a lot of work on the inside of the home. Taylor estimated the damage at $80,000. The family has no insurance.

Volunteer firefighters from the Gardnerville Ranchos, Gardnerville, Ruhenstroth, Fish Springs, Topaz Ranch Estates and Topaz Lake responded along with career firefighters from the Ranchos and Minden.