Victims in deadly fire on Broadway Blvd. identified; suspect arrested

RENO, Nev. (KOLO) - UPDATE JULY 23, 12:20 P.M. A second person who died following a fire on Broadway Boulevard on Monday has been identified as 51-year-old Diana Engstrom of Reno.

Engstrom was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the cause and manner of death.

* Editors Note: The Washoe Co. Medical Examiner’s Office identified Ms. Engstrom as Diane, but the family tells KOLO 8, their mother’s name is Diana.

UPDATE JULY 22, 12:10 A.M. The suspect accused of arson for the fire at a Midtown apartment complex has now been charged with two counts of Open Murder.

The Reno Police Department says the investigation against Brian Bandy is ongoing.

One of the victims has been identified by the Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office as Katherine White, 70, of Reno.

The second victim’s identity has not yet been confirmed.

UPDATE JULY 21, 11:15 A.M. The Reno Police Department confirms that a suspect in custody is connected to a fire Monday where two bodies were found.

Brian Bandy, 31, of Sun Valley, is in custody on charges of Arson 1st Degree and False Imprisonment with the Use of a Deadly Weapon.

RPD says the investigation is continuing.

The Washoe County Medical Examiner’s Office says it has not yet confirmed the identities of the two bodies found in the rubble, or determined the cause of death.

UPDATE JULY 20, 10:40 A.M. Reno Police investigators say a second body has been found at the scene of an apartment fire in midtown Reno.

The cause of the two deaths has not been determined yet.

The Reno Fire Department Arson Investigation Unit and Reno Police Robbery Homicide Unit are both investigating.

ORIGINAL STORY Fire crews confirm one person is dead after an apartment fire in Midtown.

The fire broke out just after 5:30 on Monday, July 20, 2020.

Fire crews appear to have extinguished the flames and video from the scene show several upper level units destroyed. The roof of the building is gone.

Thirteen other people have varying degrees of injuries ranging from smoke inhalation to burns. Fire crews also confirm that some animals were killed in the fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but arson and homicide detectives are on scene.

Broadway Boulevard is closed as crews investigate.

ORIGINAL STORY: Multiple agencies are responding to a structure fire on Broadway Boulevard in Reno.

It was first reported just after 5:30 a.m. on Monday, July 20, 2020.

We have a crew on scene gathering more information.

This is a developing story.