Chimney fire damages Ranchos home

A chimney fire did an estimated $20,000 in damage to the roof of a home on Starlight Court in the Gardnerville Ranchos on Monday afternoon.

The fire was spotted by a neighbor who reported it to firefighters. The home is owned by Julio C. Ancina, who was in his backyard shop when the fire started.

According to East Fork Fire Investigator Terry Taylor, the fire started when the chimney failed and creosote spewed out onto the shake roof.

The fire damaged a radius around the chimney of about 6-7 feet, but did not extend into the attic, Taylor said. Neither the water nor electrical systems in the house were harmed, but there was smoke and water damage to the living area.

Volunteers from the Gardnerville Ranchos, Gardnerville and Sheridan Acres responded to the blaze along with career firefighters from the Ranchos and Minden.

Taylor said the area was not large enough to require Ancina to replace the shake roof. The resident was back in his home Monday night.