Arcing power lines caused big Nov. 18 fire in Reno
RENO -- Fire investigators have confirmed arcing power lines caused the wind-blown blaze that destroyed dozens of homes in Reno in November.
A report issued by the Reno Fire Department on Friday says the brush fire caused about $7.6 million in property damage. It destroyed 26 homes and damaged 17.
Fire Chief Michael Hernandez said earlier he suspected power lines sparked the Nov. 18 fire but he stopped short of ruling that the formal cause.
The report says a tree branch probably was blown into lines, and an expert from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms concurred in its findings.
Another 29 homes burned south of Reno last week in a fire started accidentally by a man discarding fireplace ashes during the city's driest winter in more than 120 years.
