Raging brush fire destroys 20 homes in Nevada

More than 20 homes have been destroyed by a fast-moving brush fire near Reno, Nevada (Reuters)

More than 20 homes have been destroyed by a fast-moving brush fire near Reno, Nevada, that has forced about 10,000 people to evacuate their neighbourhoods.

Reno fire chief Michael Hernandez said there was also one fatality, but it was not clear how the death was related to the fire.

Firefighters were able to stop the fire's progress yesterday, but not before wind gusts of up to 82mph sent it rushing through a valley south of Reno.

Flames could be seen from the casino district about 10 miles away.

Mr Hernandez says the fire is "almost a carbon copy" of one that destroyed 30 homes on Reno's south-west side in November.

The Reno area had gone a winter-record 56 days without any precipitation until light snow fell earlier this week.

The winds died down after nightfall and rain started falling. More wet weather is expected as firefighters work through the weekend to fully contain the blaze.