Reno apartment fire under investigation

Reno Fire Department investigators have started the task of trying to determine the cause of a fire that destroyed 22 of 36 unoccupied buildings at the Alexander Apartment complex.

Despite the intensity and aggressiveness of the blaze that was reported at about 11:50 p.m., firefighters successfully kept the fire from 14 of the apartment structures on the complex at 11380 South Virginia St., said Reno police and fire spokesman Steve Frady. 

The intensity of the fire and its close proximity to an adjacent mobile home park prompted officers from the Reno Police Department and the Washoe County Sheriff's Office to evacuate residents.

Those residents were allowed to return to their homes by about 6:00 a.m.

Most of the buildings on the complex were reportedly in various stages of construction including those on the east side of the complex, many of which were in the wood frame stage which contributed to rapid spread of fire to other units.

More than 65 fire personnel responded and remained on scene through about 7 a.m.

Firefighters continued overhaul operations into Wednesday afternoon to address smoldering debris and hot spots throughout the large scene of destruction. It is anticipated that fire investigators will begin processing the fire scene later today, said Frady.

The Reno Fire Department responded with eight structure fire engines, two ladder trucks, an air support truck, mobile command post and including the fire chief, the operations division chief, fire marshal, two battalion chiefs, two safety officers, and fire investigators as well several fire inspectors and fire prevention officers.  Structure engines were also sent to the scene at the outset of the incident from the Sparks Fire Department, Sierra Fire Protection District. 

Incident commanders from the Reno Fire Department also requested a strike team of structure fire engines through the Lake Tahoe Regional Fire Chiefs Association.  Structure fire engines were sent to the fire by the Truckee Fire District, Squaw Valley Fire Department, Tahoe-Douglas Fire Protection District, North Start Fire Department and the North Tahoe Fire Protection District.

Heavy smoke from the fire prompted closure of Highway 395 on the east boundary of the apartment complex. The road remained closed in both directions until about 3:30 a.m.

Old Virginia Road and South Virginia Street were also closed by officers from the Washoe County Sheriff's Office and Reno Police Department due to fire operations that impacted several lanes on the east side of the street.  The Nevada Department of Transportation later opened Virginia Street with one lane of travel for morning commuter traffic.

NvEnergy officials responded to the scene and shut power off to the complex for fire fighting operations, with some temporary local power outages that affected some businesses and residences in the immediate area.

Due to the magnitude of the fire, Frady said, Reno Fire Department investigators are working with the Reno Police Department and have requested the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which assisted the fire department in the investigation of the Mizpah Hotel fire in 2006. 

Investigators have also been in contact with the Nevada State Fire Marshal Division for potential use of resources from that agency to assist with the investigation.

Fire investigators say it may be several days or longer to make a determination on the cause of the fire.

The Alexander Apartments complex has been under construction for some time with 35 apartment buildings, each with 10 apartment units as well as a recreation building. 

The complex is being developed by Stockton-based AG Spanos.  Project representatives on scene said that four of the units located on the Virginia Street side of the complex had recently received certificates of occupancy, but had not yet been occupied, while other units are close to being completed for occupancy certificate review.

Anyone with information about the fire, or who may have seen the early stages of the fire, is asked to contact the Secret Witness Program at (775) 322-4900.  Information can be provided to the Secret Witness Program on an anonymous basis.