A fire in a double-wide trailer in Sun Valley was quickly contained Thursday morning after firefighting efforts were temporarily halted by an armed and combative man at the scene.

Crews with Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District (TMFPD) responded to reports of a structure fire with heavy black smoke near Sun Valley Boulevard and Quartz Lane shortly after 8:30 a.m.

Upon arrival in the area of Pegasus Drive, fire crews began suppression efforts but were forced to stop after encountering a man in the backyard who refused to cooperate.

One firefighter reported seeing what appeared to be a gun, prompting a retreat. Firefighters shifted to a defensive approach to protect nearby homes while awaiting law enforcement support.

Deputies with the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) established a perimeter and issued commands to the suspect, identified as 52-year-old Scott Sistrunk.

According to a WCSO press release, Sistrunk brandished a wooden 2×4 and exhibited threatening behavior toward deputies. When he continued to resist, a K-9 unit was deployed to subdue him.

Sistrunk was taken into custody and transported to Renown Regional Medical Center for medical evaluation before being booked into the Washoe County Detention Facility.

He is facing multiple charges including:

  • Resisting a Public Officer with a Deadly Weapon (Felony)
  • Assault with a Deadly Weapon – First Responder (Felony)
  • Mistreating a Police Animal (Felony)
  • Interfering with a Firefighter (Misdemeanor)

Additional charges may be filed depending on the outcome of the ongoing investigation into the fire.

While the standoff was unfolding, an outbuilding on the property became fully engulfed.

Once the suspect was secured, fire crews quickly resumed suppression and were able to contain the flames to the property of origin.

No other homes or wildland areas were impacted, and no injuries to firefighters, deputies, or bystanders were reported.

Nearby residents were briefly evacuated as a precaution during the incident.

This remains a developing story. We will provide updates if information becomes available.