(Photos courtesy Jerome Hicks, TMFR, Devon Croxton, Josh Nelson)
UPDATE: September 24, 2020
A total of $30,000 is now being offered for information after a massive fire at the Esprit Townhome Apartments in south Reno.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives and Lewis Management Corporation are offering the combined reward.
The July 23rd fire destroyed 11 multi-family-unit buildings that were under construction, causing more than $15 million in damage.
Reno Fire Investigators say they ruled that the fire was intentionally set.
The ATF and the Reno Fire Department are investigating this case.
Anyone with any information about this crime should contact ATF at 1-(888)-ATF-Fire (1-888-283-3473) or by visiting www.reportit.com or through the mobile “reportit” app, available both on Google Play and the Apple App Store.
UPDATE - September 4, 2020:
Reno Fire Investigators need help finding suspects who may have set fire to Esprit apartment homes on Veterans Parkway in July.
The fire destroyed 11 multi-family-unit buildings that were under construction.
Reno Fire Investigators say they ruled that the fire was intentionally set.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information.
Anyone with information about the fires can call RFD at 775-334-2300, or Secret Witness at 775-322-4900, or text your tip to 847411. Your tip will remain anonymous.
UPDATE:
Reno Fire investigators say arson is now suspected in last week's massive fire at an apartment complex under construction on Veterans Parkway.
The fire destroyed 11 multi-family-unit buildings that were under construction.
According to Fire Investigators, evidence collected at the scene strongly indicates that this fire was intentionally set. RFD is seeking information from two particular areas in relation to the fire.
“Several vehicles were captured on video driving by the complex moments prior to and after the fire, between 3 and 3:30 a.m.,” Reno Fire Marshal Tray Palmer said. “Those drivers may have seen something that can help us solve this case. We are also asking for anyone who may have seen any activity near the Damonte Ranch High School baseball fields, between 3:15 and 5 a.m. that morning, to please call us.”
Anyone with information about the fires can call RFD at 775-334-2300, or Secret Witness at 775-322-4900.
ORIGINAL STORY:
Reno Fire officials say crews will be on scene for the next several hours while they investigate that broke out at an apartment complex under construction near Geiger Grade early Thursday morning.
The fire happened just after 3:15 a.m. near Toll Road. Fire officials say about 12 of the 21 buildings are either damaged, or destroyed, at the Espirit Townhome site.
Reno Police say nearby residents were temporarily evacuated to The Summit mall.
Officials say Geiger Grade Road has reopened after being closed from Veterans Parkway to Toll Road heading up to Virginia City.
NV Energy reports a temporary power outage affected over 2,000 customers.
In response, the property owner, Lewis Homes released this statement:
"We were notified early this morning of a fire at the Esprit Townhome Apartment complex located at Veterans Parkway and Geiger Grade Road. The property was under construction and fortunately, not yet occupied. Fire crews are currently working on the scene. While we are not yet aware of the cause, we are grateful that no one has been hurt. We would like to thank the Reno Fire Department, Sparks Fire Department and Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue who have responded so quickly and have helped isolate the fire to the property."
undefined
undefined
