Update on weekend house fire

Since an early morning fire on Saturday, the Jason Gardner family has been sifting through the ashes of their Potpourri Drive home, trying to find items and momentos they can salvage.

Meanwhile, the Fallon Churchill Fire Department continues it investigation into the fire’s cause that left the family of five without a home and most of their possessions destroyed.

A family member said the Gardner family has found temporary housing, and the community has begun to respond with clothes, bedding and money.

This was the second fire of December that displaced residents. Fire Chief Fred Rogne said the department is nearing completion of its investigation of a house fire on Yeoman Lane that occurred 10 days ago.

When firefighters from the fire department responded to the single home blaze Saturday morning, Rogne said the fog was so thick that firefighters didn’t see any flames until they were about 200 yards from the structure. Firemen worked in below-freezing temperatures.

Rogne said the structure was fully engulfed. The Gardners were in California at the time but have since returned.

Coincidentally, the fire was down the street from a home that fire destroyed on Super Bowl Sunday.

Rogne said 28 firefighters, two tenders (water trucks), three engines and a truck responded to douse water on the flames.

Cindy Dunham, mother of Carissa Gardner, said the family is appreciative of the support from the Fallon community. Inquiries of what the family needs can go through the Lahontan Valley News, and the newspaper will contact Dunham with the information. So far people have donated clothes and gift cards and have offered beds for the family.

Garner told the LVN Tuesday morning that the family is in fairly good shape and received enough clothing, bedding and towels. Gardner said she is in awe with the outpouring of help from the community.

In a Facebook post, Gardner thanked friends, families and strangers for reaching out to help her family.

“All of this will be remembered forever as a brightness in the darkness of loss we will NEVER forget the caring and gracious hearts u all have and tears u have shed for us. It will be in our hearts for the rest of our lives thank u from the bottom of my heart and soul,” Gardner wrote.