Emergency, crime briefs

Fire engulfs Mark Twain area home

Lyon County investigators are trying to determine what caused a Wednesday night fire in Mark Twain that left a family homeless.

The fire, which began in the laundry room at 405 Six Mile Canyon Road about 8 p.m., was fully burning when crews from Central Lyon County and Storey County arrived, said Amy Solaro, fire prevention specialist with Central Lyon County Fire District.

She said Jim Banks, his wife Judy, son Daniel, 18 and Chet Judycki lived in the double-wide mobile home the Banks were buying.

"Mr. Banks was walking down the hall, noticed smoke coming out from the laundry room area and when he opened the door, the room was filled with smoke and he saw fire off to his right," Solaro said. "Mr. Judycki was in a wheelchair, and (Banks) quickly grabbed him and they exited the residence."

The fire was contained in an hour.

The family is receiving help from the American Red Cross, Solaro said.

Ely camp escapee taken into custody

An inmate who walked away from Ely Conservation Camp Oct. 27 is back in custody.

David Semaniega-Cerna, 20, tried to take a Nevada Division of Forestry pickup truck before fleeing on foot from the remote camp in White Pine County.

He was located the following evening sitting behind the power company building in Ely eating a sandwich.

Sheriff's deputies took him into custody without incident.

- Staff reports