HENDERSON (KTNV) — Authorities are investigating an early morning brush fire that burned two acres and endangered multiple homes Wednesday.
The blaze started around 4:30 a.m. in Whitney Mesa Park, off Sunset Road west of Whitney Ranch.
Henderson Fire Chief Scott Vivier said when the fire was reported, roughly 2-3 acres had already burned and caused damage to one home and the landscaping of another home.
WATCH| Ryan Ketcham speaks with locals who witnessed the fire
During the response, firefighters found one person dead, Vivier said, but the cause of death is unknown at this time.
It's unclear exactly who this person is, but neighbors tell me they don't believe the person is a homeowner in this community.
Some of the nearby residents tell me this fire was a frightening sight.
Watch the full briefing with the fire chief here:
“We went to the front yard and saw the flames shooting up 30-40 feet in the sky. And that was quite disturbing because we’re pretty close by the fire," said Rene Mauban, a 67-year-old retired physician and resident in the area. He was one of the dozens evacuated.
Because of the smoke, roughly 50 nearby residents were evacuated. Evacuees went to Green Valley High School down the road for about an hour, until the fire was fully put out and it was deemed safe to return.
No other injuries were reported. The cause of the fire will be investigated by the Henderson Fire Department.
