KTVN Channel 2 - Reno Tahoe News Weather, Video - Authorities: Smoking and Oxygen Caused Reno Apartment Fire
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Investigators say an early morning fire at a Reno apartment complex was caused by someone smoking while using a medical oxygen device.
It happened around 1 AM at the Rosewood Park Apartments on Mira Loma. Fire officials say the blaze started in the downstairs apartment and moved through the 8-unit complex. "I believe the fire spread quickly. The smoke detectors helped but not too much in this case,"said Reno Fire Battallion Chief, Dana Tucker.
Fire officials say some residents jumped from the second-story windows and balconies to escape the flames. Deanna Wright was one of them, and said she had to make a quick decision. "It was extremely scary. I was anxious to get out though I can tell you this much. I couldn't wait for the lader I had to get out."
Investigators say the loud boom heard initially by residents appears to have been the oxygen tank exploding. Larry Laskowski got out of his downstairs unit just in time, but said he couldn't believe what was happening. "All of the sudden there was an explosion, the front doors got blown in and the walls opposite the door fall in and all kinds of flames and black smoke."
Four people were taken to the hospital for injuries ranging from burns to broken ribs to smoke inhalation.
