Report in car fire expected by week's end

An investigation into a car fire that claimed the life of an Arizona man may be finished this week, a Douglas County Sheriff's Department official said Monday.

"We are anticipating having the report on the cause of the fire hopefully by the end of the week," said Lt. Mike Biaggini. "There is no positive identification on the victim yet."

Until a positive identification is made through dental records, the Douglas County Sheriff's Department will not release the name of the man, Biaggini said.

The victim is believed to be John Thomas Solak, 21, of Phoenix, who was visiting his parents in Gardnerville. Smoke inhalation was ruled as the cause of death.

East Fork firefighters discovered the body in the driver's seat March 2, following an early morning fire that engulfed the engine of the 2000 Ford Escort. The car was in the back parking lot of JT Basque Bar and Dining Room in Gardnerville.

Investigators checked service records in Carson City a week ago. At the time, a Capital Ford employee said it was the company's policy not to comment. An earlier article may have been misleading.