A late-night fire ripped through an east Las Vegas apartment building Sunday, leaving two children in critical condition and several families suddenly without a home. Flames burned through two units of the complex as firefighters pulled residents from the building and rushed three people to local hospitals, including the two critically injured children. Disaster response teams are now stepping in to help the displaced residents while investigators work to figure out what started the blaze.
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Clark County Fire Department crews arrived on the 2600 block of Nellis Boulevard near Sahara Avenue at about 10:58 p.m. Sunday. Firefighters launched an aggressive interior attack while at the same time conducting search-and-rescue operations inside the burning building, and by about 11:16 p.m. crews had confirmed everyone was out and the fire was knocked down.
Fire response and containment
The Clark County Fire Department reported the fire began in two units of a two-story building and was held to those apartments, preventing it from spreading further through the complex. No firefighters were injured during the response. FOX5 reports the callout brought a sizable response, including two battalion chiefs, eight engine companies, two truck companies, two rescue units and an EMS captain. Three patients were transported to hospitals: two children in critical condition and an adult with a minor medical complaint.
Neighbors and relief
Neighbors told reporters they noticed a sudden electrical-burning smell shortly before the fire erupted. One neighbor, Henry McCord, told the Review-Journal he watched firefighters carry small children out of the building and load them into an ambulance. Another resident, Sherri Defreece, said her apartment was destroyed in the blaze and that she was meeting with property management and the American Red Cross of Southern Nevada for help with housing and recovery. The Review-Journal reported the Red Cross said volunteers were assisting residents of two apartments.
Investigation underway
Fire investigators are working to determine what sparked the fire while relief organizations coordinate short-term housing and other support for those who cannot return home. FOX5 notes the cause remains under investigation and that no public safety personnel were injured.
