SILVER SPRINGS -- An ongoing family battle over child custody may have precipitated a fire that destroyed a Silver Springs home, Lyon County authorities said Tuesday.
Angela Vanessa Salvo, 25, is accused of burning down her mother's Truckee Street home on June 18. Her mother was not home at the time, but was dealing with Division of Child and Family Services staff who were taking custody of Salvo's children because of allegations that she was using drugs in front of them, said Sgt. John Arndell of the Lyon County Sheriff's Department.
Arndell said Salvo was arrested the day of the fire on a charge of second-degree kidnapping after she allegedly demanded her brother's 12-year-old stepson come with her. The boy's mother found them walking near the home and took her son into the car. Salvo then headed to the Truckee Street address, Arndell said.
After an investigation by the East Fork Fire District, Central Lyon County Fire and the Lyon County Sheriff's Department, Salvo was charged with first-degree arson.
"Through our investigation, we established that it was a human-set fire, and witness statements led to the arrest of Angela Slavo," said Investigator Rob Hall of the Lyon County Sheriff's Department. "We're satisfied that she's responsible."
Arndell said Salvo has denied her involvement in the fire, which consumed Debby Salvo's single-wide mobile home, from which she also ran a home business.
"Angela maintains that she didn't start the fire, but she was the only one there that could have," he said.
The home was totally involved with fire when neighbors called 911. Firefighters from Central Lyon County, Mason Valley and Fernley spent five hours protecting adjacent structures.
"The home and its contents were a total loss," said Mary Ellen Holly of the Central Lyon County Fire District.
Arndell said the mobile home was paid for, and Debby Salvo had only a few more payments on the property. She had no fire insurance, he said.
Angela Salvo is being held in the Lyon County Jail on $40,000 bail.
Lyon County District Attorney Leon Aberasturi said he will not pursue the kidnapping charge.
