Woman dies in NLV fire

Jace Radke

Monday, May 1, 2000 | 11:19 a.m.

One local woman died and another remains in critical condition this morning at University Medical Center after weekend fires in Las Vegas and North Las Vegas.

A 41-year-old woman was burned and suffered smoke inhalation in a Friday night fire at 2984 Capistrano Ave., Clark County Fire Department spokesman Bob Leinbach said. Her name was not released this morning.

Firefighters arriving at the home about 6:30 p.m. received an erroneous report that the house was booby trapped, which delayed an immediate search of the house. Once the report was proven false, firefighters entered the house and found the woman, Leinbach said.

"The cause of the fire has been listed as suspicious at this point, and we are still investigating" Leinbach said. "It caused $115,000 in damage."

A Saturday fire in North Las Vegas claimed the life of an elderly disabled woman, North Las Vegas Fire Department Deputy Chief Jim Stubler said.

The fire started about 5 p.m. in the Rose Garden Apartments, a housing authority facility at 1632 Yale St. The fire is believed to have started in the victim's apartment.

Her name was not released this morning until her family can be notified.

The victim is believed to have been a double amputee, Stubler said.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, Stubler said.