Carson City home destroyed; arson suspected as authorities search for homeowner

Carson City authorities remain on the scene of a fire which destroyed a home early this morning near the intersection of Garnet Way and Ruby Lane. According to Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong, a search both on and off the property is being conducted for the homeowner.
It is not known where owner Robert McCleary is at, but given the suspicious nature of the fire and the possibility that it was intentionally set, the homeowner is a person of interest, Furlong said.
"We are still sifting through the debris," he said.
The Carson City Sheriff's Office is seeking assistance from anyone knowing the whereabouts of Robert McCleary. He was last seen in Carson City at his residence on Thursday, working in his yard. McCleary is described as white/male/adult, 5'11" tall, 190 pounds, green eyes, gray hair, and approximately 60 years old. Since both of his registered vehicles were destroyed in the fire, his mode of transportation is unknown.
Officers at the site have referred to the fire as a "crime scene" and Furlong said that investigators are leaning toward arson as the cause because two separate buildings were destroyed, with one building separate from the other.
"We don't believe one started the other. We believe both started separate," said Furlong.
The fire was reported at around 4:20 this morning, knocked down at about 4:55 a.m. and described by crews on the scene as being fully engulfed at the time of arrival, with a gas line actively burning.
The fire burned the interior and exterior of the home, some vegetation and some cars parked in the back of the house. The home, a garage, vegetation and at least two vehicles were destroyed.
"The house is destroyed, the garage burned to the ground, with a car in the garage and a truck parked alongside the garage," he said.
The intersections of Arrowhead and Garnet and Arrowhead and Emerson were closed to allow fire trucks to establish water lines. Gas and electric companies were also called to shut down power to the affected areas. Eastbound Arrowhead Drive at the roundabout was also closed for a time being this morning.
Dispatchers noted that one of the reporting phone callers said they heard an explosion at the home, according to police scanner traffic.
Carson City Sheriff's officers on the scene reported having interviewed at least one witness who thought the fire was "suspicious."
Detectives continue to investigate, said Furlong.

The following message from Sheriff Furlong was sent this afternoon regarding the search for McCleary:

At approximately 4:20 a.m. this morning, July 15th, a residential structure fire was reported at 4501 Garnet, in Northern Carson City. Fire and Deputy Sheriff's arrived on scene within 4 minutes and reported the residence and detached garage area fully engulfed in flames. The fire was total loss, including two vehicles on the property, both registered to the owner/resident Robert McCleary. An exhaustive search of the area, including with the use of Douglas County Sheriff's Office cadaver K-9's failed to locate anyone deceased in the fire. The incident is under investigation by the Sheriff's Office and Fire Department for suspected Arson.
The Carson City Sheriff's Office is seeking assistance from anyone knowing the whereabouts of Robert McCleary. He was last seen in Carson City at his residence on Thursday, working in his yard. Mr. McCleary is described as white/male/adult, 5'11" tall, 190 pounds, green eyes, gray hair, and approximately 60 years old. Since both of his registered vehicles were destroyed in the fire, his mode of transportation is unknown.
Investigators combing the scene have discovered multiple fire origin locations and numerous weapons (destroyed in the fire). It is unknown weather or not Mr. McCleary (or anyone) retrieved any weapons prior to the fire. Neighbors have reported to police a gray car with California license plates seen at the McCleary residence recently. The Sheriff's Office discloses that Mr. McCleary is the person of interest in both the fire and an on-going investigation of substantial fraud. The details of the fraud investigation are not being disclosed.
Anyone with information regarding the fire or Mr. McCleary's whereabouts is asked to contact the Carson City Sheriff's Office at 775-887-2011 (Communications), or 775-887-2500, Investigations Division.
Ken Furlong
Sheriff