Five suffer smoke inhalation after fire breaks out in casino showroom

Tuesday, Feb. 10, 1998 | 9:11 a.m.

About 300 people were attending the show when the fire broke out Monday night. Employees and a sprinkler system quickly doused the flames.

"It doesn't work any better than that," said Alan Van Guilder, Reno Fire Department battalion chief.

Most of the damage was caused by water, he said. The showroom was expected to reopen for the next scheduled performance on Wednesday.

Two Eldorado security guards were taken to Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center for treatment of smoke inhalation, according to ambulance supervisor Jim Gasway. Three other people were treated at the scene by paramedics.

Witnesses said it appeared a television monitor may have ignited the curtain, but the cause remained under investigation.

"At first we through it was part of the show," said Stacey Cavakis, 23, who was attending the show with her brother, Brian. Their father is an engineer in the show and helped put out the fire.

Another person attending the show said people evacuated calmly and ushers did a good job guiding people out of the auditorium.