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Maybe an MGM worker overused his benefits?
LAS VEGAS -- During an afternoon news conference, Clark County Fire Chief Steve Smith said 13 people suffered smoke inhalation during a three-alarm blaze at the Monte Carlo, and Clark County officials praised firefighters’ swift response.
Six of the injured were transported to University Medical Center.
A spectacular fire was raging atop the landmark Monte Carlo Resort and Casino on the Strip, consuming large portions of the complex's top floors and sending plumes of thick black smoke into the air.
Fire crews on top of the 3,000-room hotel at 3770 Las Vegas Blvd. S. have contained the blaze, which broke out shortly after 11 a.m. The fire was put out at 12:15 p.m., Smith said.
There were reports of four welders who were working on the roof that were trapped there, but the reports were unconfirmed.
The blaze began at the top of the hotel and spread down into four different parts, including the roof, a top corner of the building and a couple of floors down from the roof. There were about 3,000 people staying at the hotel, which is owned by MGM Mirage.
During the beginning of the blaze, guests were spotted looking out of hotel windows, and people were still gambling.
Smith said floors 25 and above were fully evacuated, and the other floors are being checked for guests. Evacuees were being sent to the Zumanity Theater in New York New York and to the MGM Grand Garden. He said the hotel was believed to be fully evacuated.
Monte Carlo guests were being accommodated at nearby MGM Mirage sister properties. Anyone staying or scheduled to stay at the hotel-casino is urged to call is 888-395-0776.
Clark County fire and building inspectors will need to review the facility before reopening the hotel.
Smith said all 1,000 MGM employees working at the time of the fire were accounted for.
He said 120 firefighters and 35 fire trucks and other equipment from Clark County, Henderson and Las Vegas Fire Departments were at the blaze, which he called an exterior fire. He said the exterior of the building was made of a very flammable foam facade.
Smith said some room sprinklers were activated, but no rooms were on fire.
He said there was only minor damage inside the building, and the danger zone was around the hotel because of falling debris and embers.
Debris and foam were falling from the blaze and catching other parts of the hotel on fire.
Firefighters had to hang from windows to extinguish some of the flames.
Lance Burton’s show at the Monte Carlo has been cancelled for Friday night.
Hotel officials have issued this statement: "Thank you for your concern and support at this time. Monte Carlo management is responding to the situation at hand. Thanks to quick action, both our employees and our guests were promptly evacuated. All of our guests will be relocated to a sister property for the duration of their planned stay in Las Vegas. Response from Las Vegas Fire Department has been fast and effective. They are investigating the cause of the fire, but we don't want to speculate at this moment. We will provide updates as they arise."
Parent company MGM Grand also issued a statement, saying that all of their properties have availability this weekend and they are making cost-free accommodations for those guests.
Until the hotel is functional, company officials have put a freeze on hiring new employees at any of the MGM Mirage properties. Also, Monte Carlo employees will be paid and will receive health, welfare benefits and toke and tip replacement. For more information on the program, employees are urged to call the hotline at at 702-693-7005.
Both Las Vegas Boulevard South and Frank Sinatra Drive have reopened to two-way traffic.
The only road currently closed is Monte Carlo Boulevard, between Las Vegas Boulevard South and Frank Sinatra Drive.
There is no word on the cause of the blaze, but Smith said it began somewhere in the upper floors, although the exact location is not yet known.
Friday's fire brings back memories of the MGM fire in November of 1980.
A fire broke out in the kitchen of what is now the Bally's hotel.
Eighty-four people were killed.
When the hotel was built, smoke alarms were not put in the casino or restaurant areas, despite pressure from fire marshals.
Just two months later, eight people died after a fire at the Hilton.
The two fires led to an overhaul of how hotels are built in the Valley.
Six of the injured were transported to University Medical Center.
A spectacular fire was raging atop the landmark Monte Carlo Resort and Casino on the Strip, consuming large portions of the complex's top floors and sending plumes of thick black smoke into the air.
Fire crews on top of the 3,000-room hotel at 3770 Las Vegas Blvd. S. have contained the blaze, which broke out shortly after 11 a.m. The fire was put out at 12:15 p.m., Smith said.
There were reports of four welders who were working on the roof that were trapped there, but the reports were unconfirmed.
The blaze began at the top of the hotel and spread down into four different parts, including the roof, a top corner of the building and a couple of floors down from the roof. There were about 3,000 people staying at the hotel, which is owned by MGM Mirage.
During the beginning of the blaze, guests were spotted looking out of hotel windows, and people were still gambling.
Smith said floors 25 and above were fully evacuated, and the other floors are being checked for guests. Evacuees were being sent to the Zumanity Theater in New York New York and to the MGM Grand Garden. He said the hotel was believed to be fully evacuated.
Monte Carlo guests were being accommodated at nearby MGM Mirage sister properties. Anyone staying or scheduled to stay at the hotel-casino is urged to call is 888-395-0776.
Clark County fire and building inspectors will need to review the facility before reopening the hotel.
Smith said all 1,000 MGM employees working at the time of the fire were accounted for.
He said 120 firefighters and 35 fire trucks and other equipment from Clark County, Henderson and Las Vegas Fire Departments were at the blaze, which he called an exterior fire. He said the exterior of the building was made of a very flammable foam facade.
Smith said some room sprinklers were activated, but no rooms were on fire.
He said there was only minor damage inside the building, and the danger zone was around the hotel because of falling debris and embers.
Debris and foam were falling from the blaze and catching other parts of the hotel on fire.
Firefighters had to hang from windows to extinguish some of the flames.
Lance Burton’s show at the Monte Carlo has been cancelled for Friday night.
Hotel officials have issued this statement: "Thank you for your concern and support at this time. Monte Carlo management is responding to the situation at hand. Thanks to quick action, both our employees and our guests were promptly evacuated. All of our guests will be relocated to a sister property for the duration of their planned stay in Las Vegas. Response from Las Vegas Fire Department has been fast and effective. They are investigating the cause of the fire, but we don't want to speculate at this moment. We will provide updates as they arise."
Parent company MGM Grand also issued a statement, saying that all of their properties have availability this weekend and they are making cost-free accommodations for those guests.
Until the hotel is functional, company officials have put a freeze on hiring new employees at any of the MGM Mirage properties. Also, Monte Carlo employees will be paid and will receive health, welfare benefits and toke and tip replacement. For more information on the program, employees are urged to call the hotline at at 702-693-7005.
Both Las Vegas Boulevard South and Frank Sinatra Drive have reopened to two-way traffic.
The only road currently closed is Monte Carlo Boulevard, between Las Vegas Boulevard South and Frank Sinatra Drive.
There is no word on the cause of the blaze, but Smith said it began somewhere in the upper floors, although the exact location is not yet known.
Friday's fire brings back memories of the MGM fire in November of 1980.
A fire broke out in the kitchen of what is now the Bally's hotel.
Eighty-four people were killed.
When the hotel was built, smoke alarms were not put in the casino or restaurant areas, despite pressure from fire marshals.
Just two months later, eight people died after a fire at the Hilton.
The two fires led to an overhaul of how hotels are built in the Valley.
So, how many tokes can be replaced?
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