11-year-old arrested in string of fires

Thursday, Aug. 3, 2000 | 10:07 a.m.

An 11-year-old boy was arrested Wednesday night in connection with a string of fires that kept firefighters busy in northeast Las Vegas.

The boy is under investigation for at least 10 fires which caused damage estimated at $1 million, said Steve La-Sky, Clark County fire spokesman.

One of the more costly blazes caused $500,000 damage at an under-construction convenience store. The business was expected to open in 45 days.

Other fires were started at a Kmart, Albertson's supermarket, Target, Vons, Pistol Pete's Pizza and Arden Car Wash. Three vehicles also were set on fire, La-Sky said.

The boy's name was withheld because he is a minor. He was taken to the Clark County Juvenile Detention Center.

In an unrelated incident, Clark County firefighters battled a two-alarm blaze Wednesday night that caused $700,000 in damage to the Nevada Equal Rights Commission office on the city's east side.

No one was injured, but maintenance crews in a nearby building were evacuated.

The 8:15 p.m. fire damaged about 6,000 square feet of office space, La-Sky said.

The cause of the fire is unknown.