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Fire In Downtown Apartment Building Kills Six People, Injures 13
American Red Cross Assisting Nearly 50 People Displaced
In what is believed to be the city’s worst fatal fire in history, six people lost their lives and 13 people were injured when the Alpine Apartments Motel, 213 N. Ninth St., caught fire at 4:13 a.m. Saturday – Dec. 21.
When firefighters arrived at the three story wood frame building with 42 apartments, several people were hanging out windows, along with thick black smoke pouring out. A few people jumped as firefighters were arriving on scene. All units arriving on scene were used to rescue the people who were about to jump. A second alarm was requested to bring additional firefighters to help out along with 10 additional ambulances to transport those that were injured.
One crew went inside the front door, down the hall and found the fire in one apartment. They had the fire out in less than a minute. But the fire produced a thick black smoke which made it impossible to see and breathe inside the building which trapped many of the occupants.
After the fire was extinguished, crews found three people deceased in the building. Another deceased person was found on the sidewalk down the street. Two other people were also found making a total of six fatalities. Two cats and one dog were also found dead inside the building. A small dog was also found alive suffering from smoke inhalation. It was taken to a veterinarian’s office for treatment.
Fire investigators believe the fire started around the stove in the apartment. Other occupants of the building told fire investigators that there was no heat in the building and people were using their stoves for heat. The occupant of the unit where the fire started has not been located. The fire appears to be accidental, not criminal in nature. It remains under investigation.
There were six fatalities, 13 injuries of which 10 people were taken to the hospital by ambulance. Management estimated approximately 70 people lived in the building. 42 people met with the American Red Cross for assistance after the fire, it is estimated nearly 50 people are displaced.
Damage is estimated at $475,000. The incident remains under investigation.
Video of press conference held after the incident at the scene of the fire is available for viewing at: www.facebook.com/LasVegasFD along with photos.
END ## LVFR/PIO-TRS
E1,201,3,4, T1, R4, EMS1, B1,5, PIO1 E8,10,106, T8, R204,3,8,10,106,301,1, AR1, B3, 6i3,4,10,12, CC901,904,905,909, 105,109,114,116
Incident: 9476046
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