Report: Deadly Reno fire was likely accidental
RENO - A deadly blaze that killed a woman and burned five square miles south of Reno was caused by improper disposal of fireplace ashes and was most likely accidental, fire investigators concluded.
Lyle Teuscher, 58, told investigators he had disposed of the ashes in a metal trailer outside his Washoe Drive home about four days before the Jan. 19 fire erupted.
According to the Reno Gazette-Journal, Teuscher said he always checked the temperature of ashes and "thought all the ashes were cold and safe enough to deposit in the trailer for later dumping," the report said.
Property damage from the blaze, which destroyed 28 homes, was estimated at $4.5 million.
