News Summary
A fire erupted near UNLV, destroying a two-story commercial building and affecting eight businesses, including a USPS location. Approximately 125 firefighters were dispatched to combat the blaze, which was fully contained later that morning. Preliminary investigations suggest a faulty electrical system may have caused the fire, which spread rapidly due to the absence of a sprinkler system. The community faces potential economic impacts as local businesses recover.
Las Vegas – A fire erupted on Friday morning, leading to the destruction of a two-story commercial building near the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). The incident occurred at the University Gardens shopping center at 4632 S. Maryland Parkway shortly after 8:10 a.m., resulting in significant damage to the structure and disruption for local businesses.
Witnesses described heavy smoke billowing from the area, near the UNLV student union. The building was severely impacted, with parts of its roof collapsing during the fire. At least eight businesses were affected, including a U.S. Postal Service (USPS) location, which housed 522 P.O. boxes. Fortunately, the USPS was occupied at the time, allowing for a successful evacuation, and no injuries were reported among civilians or firefighters.
In total, around 120-125 firefighters were dispatched to combat the blaze, supported by 30-40 Metropolitan Police Department officers who assisted with crowd control and evacuation efforts. Fire officials declared a third alarm as they concentrated their efforts on the fire’s most intense areas—the north and south wings of the building. By late morning, the fire had been fully contained, providing some relief to the surrounding community.
While preliminary investigations suggest the fire may have originated on the first floor at the rear of the strip mall, the exact cause is still under investigation. Initial reports indicate that a faulty electrical system could be responsible, and federal investigators may be called in to further examine the scene to rule out any potential negligence or intentional act.
Deputy Fire Chief Thomas Touchstone noted the absence of a sprinkler system in the building, which likely contributed to the rapid spread of the flames. The structure’s age may have played a role, as it is believed to have been constructed before such safety measures were mandated.
In the aftermath of the fire, customers dependent on USPS services must redirect their mail and packages to the nearby Paradise Valley Post Office until further notice. Local businesses and residents expressed their concerns about the impact of the fire on employees and the surrounding community. While estimates of the damage have yet to be disclosed, the effects on the local economy are expected to be significant.
As a precaution, all lanes on Maryland Parkway at University Road were reopened just before noon on Friday following the fire’s containment. UNLV officials have confirmed that the campus was not threatened by the blaze and expressed gratitude to the Clark County Fire Department and first responders for their swift actions in maintaining safety and containing the fire.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of fire safety in commercial buildings, especially in structures predating current regulations, which require sprinkler systems for new developments. The local community hopes for a swift resolution to the investigation and a recovery plan for all affected businesses.
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Additional Resources
- Fox 5 Vegas
- Wikipedia: Fire Safety
- Las Vegas Review Journal
- Google Search: Las Vegas fire news
- Las Vegas Sun
- Google Scholar: Fire Safety Regulations
- Hindustan Times
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fire Investigation
- News Nation Now
- Google News: Las Vegas UNLV fire
