Fire closes homeless shelter

A score of men are seeking shelter after an electrical fire closed Friends in Service Helping's Focus House this morning.

The 21 residents will have shelter for 2-4 days thanks to the American Red Cross, but fire officials are saying it will be more than a month before the building, located in Stewart, can be rewired.

The charity, which serves Carson City, Douglas and Lyon counties, is seeking help from the community to provide housing or donations to help the men.

According to Director of Development Gerie Stanko, the 7:20 a.m. fire resulted in the evacuation of the building. Carson City and East Fork firefighters responded to the blaze.

When they opened the wall, they found smoldering wood that ignited when exposed to oxygen, Stanko said. She said a firefighter estimated that the wood had been smoldering for a couple of days.

FISH has operated the shelter for 30 years.

"This very unfortunate fire comes at a doubly bad time since our shelter referrals in the last two weeks have dramatically increased," charity Executive Director Jim Peckham said. "We suspect we may have to replace all wiring within Focus House and may be looking at the need to raise $25,000 or even more."

But Peckham was confident that Western Nevada residents would step up to aid the shelter.

"Here in Northern Nevada, the community has always responded quickly to help others," said Peckham.

Anyone who would like to offer help to restore this shelter can visit www.nvfish.com to contribute via Paypal, or call FISH at 882-FISH, or send donations to FISH 138 E Long St. Carson City, NV 89706.