A family in Nevada is in mourning and demanding answers. A large brush fire at a public park in Henderson killed a 19-year-old last week. Fire crews made the grim discovery while putting out the flames at the popular spot.
And a family still doesn't have answers on exactly what happened.
According to the Henderson Fire Department, firefighters arrived at Whitney Mesa to put out a brush fire during the early hours of January 14. The inferno had spread to three acres and had caught a nearby home on fire. It had also caused landscaping damage to a second residence as well.
The department explained, "Due to the size of the fire, a second alarm was requested. Approximately 60 personnel responded with assistance from the Clark County Fire Department and the Bureau of Land Management. Heavy smoke prompted the evacuation of approximately 50 residents. All evacuations have since been lifted."
Brush Fire Kills Teen
The organization also added, "During a primary search of the area, one deceased individual was located. The name and cause of death will be released by the Clark County Coroner's Office. Following protocol, the circumstances surrounding the death are under investigation by the Henderson Police Department."
Family later identified the brush fire victim as 19-year-old Kevin Reed. Speaking with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, his sister Summer Carpenter said that the situation was bizarre.
"We really don't know what happened, but we know that something is not right," she said. Reed lived in an encampment inside of the park along with others. But he was the only death. "We want to know why nobody helped him."
She also said, "It's really hard... I don't think anybody ever expects something so hard."
His foster father, Oscar Sanchez Camacho-Waters, told KSNV, "We are forever grateful that Kevin... showed us love and kindness. Our minds keep going back as to how... did it happen?"
The cause of the brush fire remains under investigation.
