MARK SMITH / PVT Early responders to Saturday night's fire at the Cancer Victims Thrift Store found flames roaring at the West Street location and, to the right, downed electricity lines flaring blue-white in the middle the street. HORACE LANGFORD JR. / PVT Owner Theresa Stevens was blunt in the aftermath: "We want the store back." HORACE LANGFORD JR. AND MARK SMITH / PVT Pahrump firefighters move in to make sure flames don't spread. HORACE LANGFORD JR. AND MARK SMITH / PVT As the fire reached its greatest intensity, thick sparks fell all around the area. Advertisement

The Cancer Victims Thrift Store burned to the ground Saturday evening when a recreational vehicle parked next to it caught fire and spread rapidly to the rest of the building.

It was not immediately determined what caused the fire. No serious injuries were reported.

Some nearby residents noticed the fire only after their CMA cable television service abruptly went out. Venturing outside to see what the problem might be, they were confronted with the fully enveloped thrift store at its West Street business site.

The Pahrump Valley Fire and Rescue Service was dispatched to the scene at 9:30 p.m. and arrived in a matter of minutes, but the fire caused a power line to snap, energizing the whole field.

As tanks of fuel burst into flames, sending out columns of fire, the cut electrical line spurted sparks in the middle of the street and erupted in brilliant blue flashes.

Some neighboring business owners showed up to make sure their properties were safe from the flames.

Once Valley Electric Association cut power to the entire block, fire rescue personnel were able to close in on the scene and combat the raging fire, working their way from the outside in.

Small patches of flames were still burning around 11 p.m. that night, but firemen had the area secured and under control.

VEA had the electricity back on by 1 a.m. but some cable customers were still out of service Tuesday morning.

The billowing smoke from the fire could be seen from just about everywhere in the valley.

The fire is being investigated by the fire station as well as the Nevada Marshal's Office.

Theresa Stevens, the store's owner, said plans to rebuild the shop are definately in the works.

"We want the store back," Stevens said. "We had so much fun working there and I can't believe it's gone."

Stevens said she is seeking donations of medical equipment that was in the shop as well as monetary donations to help rebuild and replace merchandise.

An account for the store is being opened at Nevada State Bank.

"It's devastating," Stevens said.