House fire believed to be accidental

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Monday, May 5, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

Old dirt rags left next to paint and flammable liquids spontaneously ignited a fire that extensively damaged a home downtown, officials said.

Heavy smoke was coming from the back of the single story brick house at 742 Encanto Drive, near Bonanza Road and Las Vegas Boulevard North, when firefighters arrived shortly after 2 p.m. Sunday.

A quick attack got the blaze under control, but the rear outside portion of the house, the living room, the dining room and the kitchen sustained fire damage, said Tim Szymanski, Las Vegas Fire Department spokesman.

One of the house's two male occupants told fire investigators that he had been using paint earlier in the day, Szymanski said. Authorities believe the fire started accidentally. Damage has been estimated at $50,000. No injuries were reported.