Fire destroys Bodie Flats home south of Gardnerville

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

The fire started near the front porch of the mobile home with additions at 461 Apache Court.

Schante Martinez, 26, was home with three 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 Flats were gusting to 35 mph, but that the fire did not spread to the 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 to the fire along with career firefighters from the Ranchos and Minden.