A fatal April 3rd fire in Reno on Silver Sky Parkway started on a bed from lit smoking materials, and was fueled by medical oxygen used in the bedroom. The fire took the life of 61 year old M’Lissa Cassidy. Tray Palmer, Reno Fire Marshal, said this is the first fire-related fatality in Reno since 2017. Reno Fire Department is reminding everyone that smoking while on oxygen increases the risk of fires and burns. If fire is exposed to pure oxygen, such as from an oxygen canister, combustion speeds up dramatically. Oxygen makes normal fuels burn much more quickly and easily, potentially causing fires to burn out of control. Even after oxygen is turned off, increased oxygen levels still linger on the hair, skin and clothing of anyone receiving oxygen therapy, creating the danger of serious burns to the head or face if smoking materials are brought towards the mouth or clothing.