Investigator: Counseling center fire human caused

An early morning fire that severely damaged a Carson City counseling center appears to be human caused, investigators said Monday.

Investigator Duane Lemons said the fire was started about 5 a.m. Sunday on the exterior south wall of the American Comprehensive Counseling Services office at East Robinson and Anderson streets. The business offers marriage, family, substance abuse, domestic violence and anger management counseling.

On Monday, owner Walt Dimitroff and his staff were clearing out what was salvageable as Dimitroff worked the phones trying to find another space to use.

The first- and second-floor offices on the south end suffered the most damage, while the rest of the building sustained smoke and water damage.

"It got pretty much everything," Dimitroff said.

Fortunately, he said, all of their paperwork is backed up on a computer server.

Dimitroff said he couldn't figure out who would intentionally start the fire.

"We don't have any bad relationships with anyone," he said.

Heal Therapy of Nevada, 405 N. Roop St., has offered the counseling center some office space until Dimitroff can find something more permanent.

American Comprehensive Counseling Services will be operating today at the Roop Street office for its 100 clients, Dimitroff said. For more information, clients can call 356-0371.

"My first thought when seeing (the fire) was, it was going to be a bad way to start the new year," Dimitroff said. "But then I thought, it could have been worse."

Lemons said the fire is under investigation.

"From what I've seen, the fire caught pretty quickly and took off. It was definitely man-caused," Lemons said. "We don't know what happened yet, but I have my suspicions. We're still following up on those."

Anyone with information can call Secret Witness at 322-4900 or Carson Sheriff's Detective Dave Legros at 887-2020 ext. 41404.

Damage was estimated to be at $90,000.

Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.